Rockets C Dwight Howard bruises left knee

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard has a bruised left knee and is questionable to return to Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

Howard hurt his leg midway through the first quarter Tuesday night when teammate Josh Smith collided with his leg. Howard tried to limp back on defense but was unable to run and left the game after the Rockets called a timeout.

After getting the knee checked out and iced, Howard returned to the game in the second quarter but did not look like his usual athletic self. He went to the bench early in the fourth quarter and the team says his return is questionable.