Dwight Howard has bone marrow injection in knee, out at least 4 weeks
The Houston Rockets will be without Dwight Howard for at least another month, after their star center received his second major regenerative knee injection of the season.
After undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy on his right knee in November, Howard had a bone marrow aspirate injection - an injection of marrow extracted from the hip - in the same knee Wednesday morning, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen.
The injection is designed to regenerate cartilage, which, in the case of Howard's knee, has worn down. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Howard missed 11 straight games when the knee issue cropped up earlier in the season. He returned for a 22-game stretch, but has now been out of action for the last four, since being forced to leave a game against the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 23 after just eight minutes.
Howard was diagnosed with a right ankle sprain, but he continued to be hampered by knee soreness, and an MRI later revealed he had fluid buildup. Feigen reports that, following the injection, Howard's rehab will begin almost immediately.
With four weeks between now and the re-evaluation date, Howard will be out at least 13 more games, which isn't as bad as it could've been thanks to the extended All-Star break later this month. His 16 missed games this season are already a career high.
The Rockets have managed to get by without him to this point, going an impressive 11-5 in games he's sat out, thanks in large part to the continued development of 7-footer Donatas Motiejunas.
And with third-year power forward Terrence Jones recently returned from an extended layoff due to nerve inflammation, the Rockets may be able to weather the storm yet.
When healthy, Howard has played well, especially at the defensive end, but this season has still been one of his worst. His 18.3 PER is his lowest since his rookie season, as is his rebound rate (19.3 percent) and free-throw rate (.632).
His 16.3 points per game represent his lowest output since his sophomore campaign in 2005-06.