So far, the Rockets are finding ways to win without Yao Ming.

Tracy McGrady scored 31 points, topping 30 for the third straight game, and Juwan Howard added 18 as the Rockets beat the SuperSonics 103-96 on Wednesday night.

McGrady also had seven assists and Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 14 rebounds as the Rockets won their fourth straight game. Houston is 4-1 since Yao broke a bone in his right leg.

"We don't really know when Yao is coming back," said the 7-foot-2 Mutombo, Yao's backup. "So, you don't want to wait to use all the tools you've got in the box. That's what (Coach) Jeff (Van Gundy) is doing, trying to challenge each one of us to play to the best of our abilities."