HOUSTON - Tracy McGrady sat out the Rockets' game against Phoenix on Wednesday night because of soreness in his lower back.

Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady hangs his head as he walks onto the court after a timeout in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, in Dallas. Dallas won 109-96. [AP]

McGrady scored a season-high 45 points Tuesday in a 109-96 loss in Dallas. He left the game with a stiff back with 2:14 remaining, but said the injury was "nothing major.''

McGrady said Wednesday he would be ready for the Rockets' next game, against Denver on Saturday.

"I'm not concerned about my back at all,'' McGrady said. "It tightened on me last night and we're just taking the precaution to not go out and try to rush back. I have a few days to rest, get some treatment and I'll be back Saturday.''

McGrady, 27, sat out seven games in December with back spasms. He had averaged 28.6 points since returning, topping 30 points eight times. The six-time All-Star missed 34 games last season because of recurring back problems, but McGrady said this injury was not related to those.

"This is different than what I've been dealing with in the past,'' McGrady said.

McGrady carried the Rockets to a 9-3 record after Yao Ming broke a bone under his right knee on Dec. 23 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Yao is expected to be out until late February.

The Rockets are 1-8 without both Yao and McGrady.