Houston Rockets Look To Have Dwight Howard Healthy For Long Haul

With a lot of today’s Dwight Howard news surrounding comments he made years ago, we are more focused on his status for this year’s season opener. Howard has had a lingering back issue that has caused him to miss most of the pre-season; he has been listed out with “back stiffness” regularly.

Howard has played one of Houston’s seven pre-season match-ups and his lone game was the first on October 6th against Memphis. On a positive note, Howard put up 11 rebounds against a tough Memphis front court with five points and two blocks in 23 minutes.

Howard has worked hard to come back 100% this season after sitting for half of last season. He hears the chatter about him only playing 41 games and that he is “over the hill,” but once again he is ready to prove that he is one of Houston’s main ingredients to a championship.

Kevin McHale said Dwight Howard has a newer type of tightness in the right side of his back. He is getting closer to returning.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 20, 2015

“My only interest is in playing this season and chasing down that championship.” —Dwight Howard pic.twitter.com/7b5mbQvNl5

— Rockets Nation (@Rockets__Nation) October 13, 2015

With Donatas Motiejunas also out with a back injury the Rockets will have to turn to their youth for answers if the vets cannot play.

Luckily Rockets fans have been treated to a much improved Clint Capela who has clearly been learning from Howard, Coach McHale and others around the Rockets organization.

Capela has played in five of the seven pre-season games, he has averaged 9.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He will assume the role of starting center if Howard can’t play at any point in the regular season.

Oh and if you didn’t catch what Capela did to Brandon Knight recently, here it is…

Check out all the camera angles from last night’s monster @CapelaClint slam! #Pursuit https://t.co/1uVLtHfBTZ

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 14, 2015

Dwight Howard will miss the first regular season game due to a suspension from last year’s playoffs which will make for a drought from October 6th to hopefully October 30th against Golden State at home since he will have played with his team in a game.

Houston will hope to have Howard back on the court as soon as possible, despite any further trouble, expect him back early in the regular season. He may also be resting and saving himself for the long season ahead at the moment.

We haven’t even started the games that count yet, just relax and prepare for another great season of Houston Rockets basketball!

Stick to @SpaceCity_Scoop for more injury news on Dwight Howard and the rest of the Houston Rockets!

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