Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Houston center Yao Ming will miss the rest of the National Basketball Association season because of a stress fracture in his left foot, placing the Rockets' postseason chances and their 12-game winning streak in jeopardy.

The team will hold a news conference this afternoon to discuss Yao's condition, Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said in a telephone interview. No medical treatment has been determined yet.

The 7-foot-6 Yao, an All-Star during each of his six NBA seasons, leads Houston with 22 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season. He's averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds during his career.

The Rockets last loss came on Jan. 27 against Utah in the only game Yao has missed this season. The 27-year-old center has helped Houston to a 36-20 record, which is seventh in the Western Conference and fourth in the Southwest Division. The top eight teams in each conference make the playoffs.

Last season, Yao missed 32 games with a broken bone in his lower right leg. The Rockets finished with a 52-30 record, losing to Utah in the first postseason round.

During the 2005-06 season, Yao played in only 57 games after breaking a bone in his left foot during an April loss to Utah. The Rockets missed the postseason, finishing with a 34-48 record.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 26, 2008 14:18 EST