Dwight Howard Returning to Rockets! Patrick Beverley Suffers Wrist Injury

After missing 26 games, Dwight Howard was back on the starting lineup of the Houston Rockets on March 25.

ESPN reported that the 29-year-old center has been back in action since January 23, playing 17 minutes and helping the Rockets win over the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 95-93 on Wednesday night. When he last played, he left the game due to a sprained ankle, but further tests had showed that he actually suffered from edema in his right knee.

In that limited time, Howard garnered four points, seven rebounds and one block. He played 17 minutes as prescribed, returning in the last seconds during the fourth quarter to help rebound when the Pelicans were going for free throws. His first shot was a dunk via an assist from James Harden. His second shot was an alley-oop dunk via an assist from Pablo Prigioni. When he was off the court, he sat on a stationary bike to check on his knee.

Howard said in the same ESPN report, "I felt pretty good, it seemed as soon as I got out there it was time to sit back down. It was kinda of an adjustment period for me, I just have to get back out there playing. The main thing for me is really helping the team on the defensive end, the other stuff will come."

NBC Sports reported that Howard only played 32 games in the current NBA season. The returning Howard is expected to help keep the Rockets in the top three of the Western Conference, especially considering how the team will likely again struggle without Terrence Jones, who will be missing games due to a partially collapsed lung. Josh Smith is also out due to a sprained ankle. When James Harden and Howard are playing together, Houston observedly scores almost 10 points more every game.

ESPN reported that Howard intends to return for the long run and strengthen the Rockets offense and defense through the playoffs. He said that he is not rushing back since it can only cause him to reinjure himself.

In another report by NBC Sports, Rockets starting point guard Patrick Beverley suffered a torn ligament in his left wrist. He will be further examined to determine if the problem needs to be addressed through surgery, which might end his season early. While the Rockets consider their options for Beverley, Jason Terry will be starting as point guard.