KRIV-TV in Houston and The Houston Chronicle are reporting that Yao has a stress fracture in his left foot and the Rockets are expected to announce he will have season-ending surgery later Tuesday.
The team has scheduled an afternoon news conference.
Houston, currently on a 12-game winning streak, is in fourth place in the Southwest Division. The streak followed a loss in the one game that Yao has missed all season.
The 7-foot-6 Yao is averaging 22.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in 55 games this season.