MRI confirms ankle strain for Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard did not take part in Wednesday practice and is not expected to play Thursday due to a left ankle strain.

The eight-time All-Star underwent an MRI on his ailing ankle Tuesday, confirming the diagnosis and revealing a cyst that Howard said had been causing him discomfort over the past couple weeks.

Howard said he was told that the cyst was a result of “wear and tear” and that it was not considered serious, nor did he expect it to be a long-term issue, adding that he hopes to return to action Saturday when the Rockets travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers.