Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets missed his first game of the season and the third of his NBA career Sunday night because of a sore right big toe that will sideline him indefinitely.

"It's not a one-game thing," coach Jeff Van Gundy said before the Rockets met the Los Angeles Lakers in the finale of a six-game road trip. "It will probably be a multiple-game thing, whatever that is. We'll know more after he sees the doctor.

"He doesn't miss much. So when he misses, he's hurt."

Yao returned home before Sunday night's game. He has had a problem with his right big toe for some time, missing two preseason games because it was bothering him.

The 25-year-old center has played in 266 regular-season games since joining the Rockets in 2002. Houston returns to action Wednesday night at home against Toronto.

"We can still win," Van Gundy said. "Obviously, your chances are better when you have your better players."