Rockets' Howard to get minutes bump; Papanikolaou nearing return

The Houston Rockets are hoping to get Dwight Howard reacclimated as they prepare for the playoffs, and they're easing him back by slowly ramping up his minutes.

Howard, who's missed 40 games this season due to persistent right knee issues, returned on March 25 with a 16-minute target, and has played under a 20-minute cap since. He's admitted to having a hard time adjusting to the restriction. 

It may not be as much slack as Howard would like, but the Rockets are loosening the rope a bit, bumping his minutes limit up to 24 ahead of the team's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Howard has been quietly effective in his four games since returning, averaging eight points and seven rebounds in just over 18 minutes per contest. The Rockets have won all four. 

Meanwhile, rookie small forward Kostas Papanikolaou is nearing a return from a sprained ankle, which he suffered during warm-ups way back on Feb. 23 and has sidelined him since. 

Papanikolaou hasn't participated in any full contact drills, but hopes to return as early as next week, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jenny Dial Creech. 

"I am pretty close," he said. "I am feeling pretty good. Great job by the training staff, great communication, great work. I hope by the end of next week, I will be back and I can’t wait."