McGrady Still Has Long Ways To Go

Rockets coach Rick Adelman doesn't believe that star Tracy McGrady is close to making his season debut.

McGrady caused a stir on Monday by claiming that he'd return next week against the Timberwolves, but the Rockets refuted his claims.

"He's been able to practice and doesn't have the pain he had last year," Adelman said Tuesday. "He still has a long ways to go as far as running the court and moving defensively."

McGrady has since backed off his statements, saying that Nov. 18 is just a "target date."

He is scheduled to have an MRI on his surgically-repaired knee on Nov. 23.