Questionable to play, Howard scores 19 in loss
OAKLAND, Calif. — Despite being a game-time decision due to a sprained ligament in his left knee, Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard was in the starting lineup Thursday night for Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors.
He played 40 minutes and contributed 19 points and 17 rebounds as the Rockets lost 99-98 to drop to a 2-0 deficit in the series.
Howard was listed as questionable, and after a 15-minute workout before the game, the team decided he would participate with a heavy brace on his knee.
He suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain in the first quarter of Tuesday’s Game 1 loss to the Warriors. Howard left the game to test the knee and was taken out for good in the fourth quarter. He finished with seven points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Team medical officials have told Howard he would need seven to 10 days to recover but that it would be up to him if he could withstand the pain.
“I want to be out there,” Howard said, “but the most important thing is that I’m out there for the whole series.”
ESPN’s Calvin Watkins and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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