Dwight Howard starts Game 2 vs. Warriors

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard got the start on Thursday in Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors, despite being a game-time decision due to a sprained his left knee.

The injury was suffered when Howard banged knees with teammate Josh Smith in the first quarter of Game 1.

Howard was a partial participant in the team's morning shootaround and wore a knee brace while doing some 1-on-1 work with assistant coach Josh Powell, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins.

"I felt pretty good out there," Howard told reporters on Thursday. "The most important thing is that I'm at least 90 percent to play. I don't want this to be something that bothers me for the rest of the series. I'd rather get rid of most of the pain as possible so I can give my teammates 100 percent," he added.

According to Watkins, the Rockets' medical staff told Howard he would normally need 7-to-10 days to recover from the sprain.

"I've got to listen to my body," Howard said.

"This is going to be on how I feel. If I feel like I can tolerate it and go out there and play through it, then I will. But my career is the most important thing, and I want to do whatever I can to help this team, but I can't help the team if I'm hurt."

Howard, who missed half the regular season with lingering issues in his right knee, logged 16 minutes post-injury in Game 1, looking slowed and hobbled on both ends of the court.

Howard's return to health in time for the postseason was a key factor in Houston's run to the West Finals, as the eight-time All-Star averaged 17.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals through the first two rounds, shooting better than 58 percent from the field.

Through 12 playoff games against the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, the Rockets performed eight points better per 100 possessions with Howard on the court, and opponents are shooting just 45.1 percent at the rim with Howard defending it.

Even with the three-time Defensive Player of the Year anchoring the middle, the Rockets will be hard-pressed to even the series before heading home, as the Warriors have lost just three times in 47 home games between the regular season and playoffs.