(NEW YORK) — After an 11 game absence, Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard will make his return to the court Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets.
Howard was out of action after dealing with knee soreness. While the injury wasn’t considered too serious, the team felt it was best to hold him out until he felt healthy enough to play at his All-Star level.
He underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy to help restore the cartilage in his knee, and is feeling like his old self again.
“I’m just thankful to be back out there,” Howard said. “Nobody wants to sit on the bench in a suit and watch his team play. You want to get out there in the action. But I’m happy to be back out there, thankful. I thank God for just allowing me to be able to play again. I’m just happy to play again. That’s the big thing.”
The Rockets haven’t missed a beat without Howard. The team sits at 17-5 heading into Saturday, which is the third-best record in the NBA.
The 29-year-old Howard is averaging 18.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio