The Houston Rockets have been playing without Dwight Howard since Nov. 17, but the star center hopes to make his return this weekend. The 29-year-old Howard told reporters he is aiming to return on Saturday when Houston hosts Denver.
Dwight Howard injury: Rockets star aiming for return on Saturday
The Rockets are about to get a big boost in the paint.
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Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Howard has been treating a right knee strain with platelet-rich plasma therapy while he’s been out. The Rockets have only had Howard for 10 games this season, but still sit at 16-4 on the year. It’s even more impressive when you consider Houston has also been without starters Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley for much of this season.
Howard talked to Spears about the pain he’s been feeling.
“The problem was the cartilage was wearing down,” the 29-year-old Howard said. “I have been playing basketball for a very long time. When you have the bone rubbing on bone it just brings a lot of pain. Every step or every movement I was making, it was just a lot of pain. I didn’t want to put myself or my teammates through that by trying to play through that.
Howard has been effective when he’s been on the court, averaging 18.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game this season. Houston has been getting by with 23-year-old rookie Tarik Black at center. The former Kansas Jayhawk is averaging 4.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season.
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