China superstar Yao Ming was furious at being benched in the defeat against Greece where a win could have ensured his nation's highest-ever finish in Olympic basketball, the team's coach admitted.

Yao had 16 points and five rebounds in Monday's 91-77 loss to the Greeks, but only played 16 minutes as coach Jonas Kazlauskas chose to rest him for Wednesday's quarter-final against Lithuania.

Kazlauskas acknowledged that Yao was unhappy with the decision, saying the Houston Rocket star would have played more if China had a chance of winning, but after falling behind by 24 points in the first half that opportunity was lost.