Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard’s knee injury may end his season - NBA Update
Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard has suffered from knee injury that has jeopardized his season.
Jazz are struggling for the 8th and final position for the play offs they are in a fix with Houston Rockets in the Western conference - Rockets though enjoy a half game lead.
Howard is expected to undergo an arthroscopic type surgery, as his knee had experienced soreness and swelling in the past week. After undergoing an MRI it was revealed that he has been playing with loose chip
in the lateral femoral cartilage of his left knee.
He will be treated by the same surgeon who healed his anterior cruciate ligament tear in February 2010, Dr. Lyle Mason. The procedure however will place him off the court for an indefinite period.
The 31 year old forward had been having a good run in this season as he averaged 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, starting 18 of 41 games. He however was hopeful that not only will he recover from this ailment
in time, his team will also make it into the playoffs.
"If I have to go through with the surgery," Howard said, "it'll be a short recovery time and I'll be back to basketball before you know it."
Howard improved phenomenally since last season when he played only 18 games for the Washington Wizards. Ever since signing a one year - $3 million contract with Jazz in December he has on song and after putting
in such efforts, it will be ironic to miss the prime phase of the season.
"I'm always going to be positive with that, especially if we make it to the playoffs," Howard said. "I want to be around and I if can get out there and contribute I will. If God sees it best for me not to (play
that soon) then I won't, but I have to deal with that when it comes."
Josh started his professional basketball career in 2003, when he was drafted by Dallas Mavericks. The association continued till 2010, when he was traded to Washington Wizards along with Drew Gooden, Quinton
Ross and James Singleton in a deal that landed Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson on the Dallas bench.
In Howards’ absentia his role will be assumed by Gordon Hayward who is averaging 10 points, 3 boards and 3 assists per game in this season. He might not be a strong defensive option but can prove to be a strong
offensive player. The experience of Howard will however be sorely missed.
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