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PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Thursday, January 29, 1998 Olajuwon might return next week By MICHAEL GRACZYK / Associated Press Writer HOUSTON (AP) -- Hakeem Olajuwon, sidelined since knee surgery Nov. 24, might return to the Houston Rockets' lineup next week. "We're going to start this week, probably Thursday, playing some fullcourt with his teammates in practice," Rockets team physician Walter Lowe said Tuesday. "We're going to run some game situations and work him out. ... For him, the time for him to return is near." Since the star center left the team the Rockets have lost 16 of 30 games. This month the struggle became more pronounced, with Houston dropping 14 of its last 20 to fall below .500. The stretch included games in which all three of the team's big stars -- Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler -- were out with injuries. "I want Dream to come back," said Kevin Willis, who has been filling in at center. "I miss him on the court. I miss his whole attitude. And, of course, I miss, most importantly, his production." Olajuwon was averaging 14.8 points, well off his 24.2 career average, when he sought treatment for the ailing knee. Doctors initially expected him back after the All-Star break. Should he return for Tuesday night's home game against Vancouver, he would beat that target by about a week. "It is a definite possibility he could play a few minutes next Tuesday," Lowe said. "If not then, possibly the following Thursday. It's a little bit up in the air, but it's getting very close." Drexler said he was looking forward to his teammate's return. "We'll all be waiting with open arms," Drexler said. "Any time you're missing a franchise player, you're lucky to stay around .500." Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said Olajuwon's return would be inspiring. "But we'll do the right thing," he said. "If he's ready, he'll play. If not, we'll push it back a little." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

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