Yao Ming plans to meet with doctors next week for an update on how his injured right knee is healing.

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Yao told KRIV-TV in Houston on Friday that he hopes for a better prognosis than the one doctors initially provided - that he would be out of action until early February.

Yao fractured the right tibial plateau under his knee December 23 when he jumped to block a shot and his knee got caught under Tim Thomas' body. Yao immediately grabbed his knee and screamed in pain.

Yao was averaging 26 points and nine rebounds before the injury.

"It's really hard," Yao said. "This is the best year I have ever had for my team and for me personally."