Rockets' McHale: Howard may be back 'sooner rather than later'

Dwight Howard's on his way back to the Houston Rockets, but when exactly he'll return, nobody knows. Not even Howard himself, who said Sunday he might return in "the next couple games." 

Rockets head coach Kevin McHale shed some light Monday on Howard, who's missing his 26th game in a row due to a right knee injury. 

McHale said we "might see Dwight sooner rather than later," and that Howard will play about 20 minutes a night when he does eventually rejoin the squad. 

Howard's played 32 games, averaging 16.3 points, 11 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 assists a game. The Rockets have hung tight without him, sitting third in the ultra-competitive Western Conference at 46-23, thanks to MVP candidate James Harden.