Dwight Howard (knee) is out for Saturday's game against Phoenix, Houston Chronicle writer Jenny Dial Creech reports.

Howard (knee) is out for Saturday's game against Phoenix, Houston Chronicle writer Jenny Dial Creech reports.

Analysis:

Howard said recently that he's "really close" to making his return, yet there's no hint of a targeted return date at this point. Whether his return comes with much prior notice is anyone's guess, but it in any case won't happen Saturday.