Dwight Howard Injury Update: Knee Feels 90%

Dwight Howard Injury Update: Knee Feels 90% – May Play Game 2

As per NBA TV, Jared Greenberg reports that Dwight Howard took part in a work out today and says he’s at 90%. He further said he hopes the knee continues to improve so he can give it a shot tonight versus the Golden State Warriors in Game 2.

The report further said he has been fitted with a brace to help protect his knee, which he is trying to adjust to playing with. Howard was quoted as saying his left knee “feels pretty good and is hopeful he’ll feel even better tonight”.

He remains a game time decision however, and it’s likely if there is any pain Howard and the team won’t risk it. Still, this is much better news than anticipated.

Get the latest on Dwight Howard's status for Game 2 in this NBA TV update. https://t.co/IiW6ZauFl0

— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 21, 2015

Howard sustained the injury in Game 1 on an inadvertent play. Josh Smith fell awkwardly and rolled into Howard which immediately sent the big man limping to the side lines. Howard tried to walk off the injury and when many suspected he had gone to the locker room to be checked, it turned out he was just in the hallway trying to determine if the injury was serious or how much pain he had.

It was evident when he returned to the court he wasn’t playing at 100% as he was unable to jump normally, run back on defense as quickly or defend the rim. As the NBA Game Time crew said, an injury or worry of an injury can affect a player’s confidence which was definitely evident from Howard.

Part way through the second half Howard complained of the pain and felt he wasn’t contributing enough to help his team.

Of note, the knee that Smith hit was Howard’s left knee, not the knee that held him out for more than half of the regular season, though he’s experienced issues with it in the past.

In a year where the Rockets suffered the third most man games lost to injury his loss would have likely diminished Houston’s chances at winning the series versus Golden State where they are already considered major underdogs.

Already without big man Donatas Motiejunas who underwent minor back surgery and starting point guard Patrick Beverley (who was ruled out for this series, just this week) this is just another injury the Rockets will have to work through. No top team has faced the same amount of injury adversity this season and managed to overcome it. Let’s hope Dwight Howard at 90% is better than no Howard on the court.

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Next: Game 2 Pregame Analysis

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