Tracy McGrady returned to the court for the first time since February on Tuesday and helped the Houston Rockets to a 107-96 win over the Detroit Pistons.

McGrady provided a spark in just eight minutes of playing time after entering the game with 7:44 left in the first quarter.

He missed his first shot but made a 3-pointer to rousing cheers before sitting for the final three quarters.

A seven-time NBA All-Star, McGrady had not been sidelines since last season when he opted to have surgery on his left knee in February.

McGrady was in and out of the lineup last year and played in only 35 games.

The high-scoring guard has been plagued by injuries in recent years, missing time with a persistent back ailment in 2006-07 and sustaining knee problems in 2007-08.