Rockets' Terrence Jones returns from 3-month absence Wednesday

The Houston Rockets will get a friendly face back in the lineup Wednesday for their pivotal showdown with the Southwest Division rival Dallas Mavericks.

Power forward Terrence Jones, out since Nov. 3 with nerve inflammation in his left leg, will play Wednesday, head coach Kevin McHale announced.

Jones came into his third NBA season on a high note after busting out and becoming a regular starter in his sophomore campaign. He picked up right where he left off last season, helping the Rockets to a 4-0 start with 14 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 29.3 minutes per game. 

That's when the nerve issue cropped up, sidelining Jones without a discernible prognosis and leading him to wonder whether his playing days might be over.  

But now Jones is finally ready to return, and the timing is fortuitous for the Rockets. Center Dwight Howard, who's had his own injury struggles this season, won't suit up Wednesday due to an ankle injury, and the Rockets are awfully thin in the frontcourt behind him. 

Jones will be eased back into game action, and will start out playing on a 15-20 minute limit, according to multiple reports.