Howard says he is more comfortable on floor than he's been all season
Dwight Howard, who began on-court workouts last week for the first time since early February, practiced with the Houston Rockets Tuesday in Portland and said afterwards that he feels more comfortable and explosive on the floor than he has been all season.
"For sure, I don't think this season I've had a time where I've felt really good on the floor," Howard told reporters. "I've been battling different injuries."
Dwight Howard was living above the rim after practice. No setbacks since returned to court work. Has been running, cutting, doing 2 on 2.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 10, 2015
The eight-time All-Star center said he feels that the necessary rehabilitation steps have been taken to ensure he won't reinjure his right knee.
Howard underwent a bone marrow aspirate injection in the knee on Feb. 4, and has subsequently missed the last 19 games. Combined with an extended absence due to problems with the same knee and ankle issues in November and December, Howard has missed a career-high 31 contests this season.
Wednesday marks five weeks since the procedure, and the Rockets are still loosely holding to the original six-to-eight week timetable for Howard's return. The high end of the projection puts a potential return in early April, with a handful of regular-season games left before the playoffs.
Houston is 21-10 this season without Howard, but is still in a dogfight for Western Conference positioning, where three-and-a-half games currently separate five teams at No. 3 through 7.