Kobe Bryant game 1 L.A. Lakers vs Houston Rockets 2009 NBA Playoffs
LOS ANGELES(AP) Kobe Bryant drove on Yao Ming in the key, the two collided knee-to-knee and the big Houston Rockets center fell to the court, grabbing his right knee and grimacing in pain.

It sure didn't look good when Yao limped off the court and disappeared into the tunnel.

A few minutes later he was back, waiting at the scorer's table to return to the physical game. Although the Rockets absorbed some hits and shed the most blood, they outmuscled the Los Angeles Lakers 100-92 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night.

Yao had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Ron Artest added 21 points and Aaron Brooks had 19 for the Rockets, who are in the second round for the first time since 1997.

Yao downplayed the injury and quick recovery, but his team didn't.

"I don't know what our trainer did to Yao,'' coach Rick Adelman said. "It was like Rocky coming back out there. We really needed him on the court.''

Artest said he was proud of Yao.

"He didn't even make it to the training room,'' Artest said. "Time was of essence. Every second, it was killing him not to be on the bench or on the floor. He came right out. I was so proud of him. He showed so much courage and knew that we needed him.''

After Bryant and Yao collided, Los Angeles' Pau Gasol picked up the ball for a slam dunk that pulled the Lakers to 85-79 with 4:54 left.

Yao had eight points after coming back; a jumper and six free throws. He made all 10 of his free throws.

Yao said he got hit pretty hard and just needed to walk it off.

"My knee feels fine, thanks for asking,'' he said. "There's no need to worry about it. I just need to put ice on it.

"Tonight I think my team had a great night,'' Yao added. "Everybody came out with a very active attitude. I think Ron Artest and Shane Battier did a great job guarding Kobe. Everybody played very unselfish.''

Bryant, who finished a distant second to LeBron James in NBA MVP voting announced earlier Monday, scored 32 points, doing his best to keep the Lakers in the game despite missing practice on Sunday with a sore throat. He scored 22 of the Lakers' final 42 points.

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