Dwight Howard is out indefinitely according to Rockets head coach Kevin McHale.
The Houston Rockets have experienced a rash of injuries to start the season, as several key players are currently missing time for Houston. Dwight Howard has been sidelined since November 19th with a knee injury, and Patrick Beverley has missed 12 games due to a hamstring injury. Starting power forward Terrence Jones is also out indefinitely with a bruised nerve in his right leg.
Despite the plethora of injuries, the Rockets are 16-4, and are currently second in the Western Conference. They’ve posted a 7-3 record without Howard, and James Harden has established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate. Still, it would be nice for the Rockets to have their guys back so they can try to solidify themselves as a team that belongs in the West’s upper echelon.
When asked by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle when to expect Howard and company back, Rockets head coach Kevin McHale had this to say:
The Rockets’ hope that Dwight Howard could be close to returning from his strained right knee seemed to be fading.
While discussing Pat Beverley’s return from a strained left hamstring, Rockets coach Kevin McHale said “It would be nice to get everybody else back, but that won’t be happening any time soon.”
McHale had previously said he hoped that Howard, who has been out since Nov. 19, might be ready to return in time to play on the Rockets’ road trip Wednesday and Thursday to play Golden State and Sacramento. Asked if he had a better feel for Howard’s timetable, he said again, “He won’t be back anytime soon.”
Houston is also without Kostas Papanikolaou who sprained his MCL during Friday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and guard Isaiah Canaan who has been bothered by a left ankle sprain. Hopefully for Houston, they’ll have their roster intact by the end of December when they begin a tough stretch that includes games against the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards.
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