Dwight Howard: 'Hopefully the next couple games I'll be back'

Being listed as doubtful on the injury report is usually seen as a negative, but when you've missed the last 25 games, as Dwight Howard has, doubtful is a welcomed upgrade.

"That's a big step," Howard admitted when finding out about his status for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers, as reported by the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen.

The Houston Rockets' star big man has been sidelined for nearly two months due to his troublesome right knee. Howard, who received a bone marrow aspirate injection in the knee in February, also missed time because of the knee earlier in the season, when he underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy.

"I haven't circled a day," Howard said of his approaching return. "But hopefully the next couple games I'll be back."

The Rockets, who sit third-place in the Western Conference at 46-23, travel to New Orleans following Indiana to play the Pelicans on Wednesday. They're back home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Howard is averaging 16.3 points, 11 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 assists in 32 games. The Rockets performed nearly six points better for each 100 possessions with the three-time Defensive Player of the Year on the court.