Olajuwon Goes Home, but Status Is Uncertain : Basketball: The Rockets’ center was knocked cold during a game Thursday. The team doesn’t know if he can play Saturday.

Officials of the Houston Rockets awaited word from doctors today on whether center Akeem Olajuwon would be able to play Saturday against the Indiana Pacers.

Olajuwon was released from the hospital today, a day after he was knocked unconscious when Chicago Bulls center Bill Cartwright inadvertently elbowed him in the eye as the two went for a rebound.

The Rockets’ star center had a bruised cheek, black eye and bloody nose in the accident Thursday night at The Summit. Houston went on to win, 114-92.

Rockets Coach Don Chaney said earlier that Olajuwon was hospitalized after the collision for observation and X-rays.

“They’re going to make sure he’s OK,” Chaney said. “I feel he’s going to be OK.”

Team physician Dr. Frank Lanza said Olajuwon bruised his right cheek and had a bloody nose and a swollen right eye after he collided with Cartwright in the third quarter of the game. Lanza said Olajuwon had no visual impairment or apparent fracture.

Olajuwon, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds before he was injured, was carried off on a stretcher.