Rockets bring back Mutombo, 42

The Houston Rockets re-signed 42-year-old center Dikembe Mutombo for the remainder of the season Tuesday, adding an emotional leader and a backup to Yao Ming.

Mutombo, who supplants 39-year-old Sam Cassell as the league’s oldest active player, appeared in 39 games for Houston last season, logging most of his minutes after Yao broke his left foot in February. Mutombo averaged five rebounds, three points and 1.2 blocks.

He became a free agent after last season and contemplated retirement before deciding to come back for an 18th season.

Mutombo started 25 games last season, mostly after Yao broke his foot, and averaged 16 minutes.

--

Etc.

The New Jersey Nets declined to match Oklahoma City’s offer sheet to former first-round pick Nenad Krstic, giving the Thunder another 7-footer in its search for a reliable center. Krstic was playing in Russia when the Thunder extended an offer sheet to him last week. . . . Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Boozer has missed 21 straight games because of a strained quad tendon he sustained Nov. 17.