HOUSTON — Rockets center Yao Ming’s broken left foot could be a “career- threatening” injury.

Team physician Dr. Tom Clanton told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that Yao’s injury “has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening.”

The 7-foot-6 All-Star suffered a hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone late in a May 8 game. The team said last week the injury hasn’t healed and he was out indefinitely.

Yao is due to make more than $16 million next season with a player option for 2010-11 that would pay him more than $17 million. Houston already expects Tracy McGrady to miss at least half of next season after microfracture surgery on his left knee.