NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is returning from a 26-game absence and has been listed as a starter for Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Howard, who is 29 and in his 11th season, has not played since Jan. 23, when he went out with a right knee injury. In 32 games this season, he has averaged 16.3 points and 11 rebounds.
He returns against a Pelicans squad desperate to string enough victories together to sneak into the playoffs after returning from a winless three-game road trip.
New Orleans has two starters returning against Houston in guard Tyreke Evans and center Omer Asik.
Evans missed the Pelicans’ previous game with sprained left ankle, while Asik has missed two games with strained right calf.