Dwight Howard cleared to play in back-to-backs

The Houston Rockets delivered some good news to their fans Wednesday, as Dwight Howard has been cleared to play in back-to-back games for the first time this season, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins.

Avoiding consecutive game days was part of the Rockets' plan to allow Howard to stay fresh while also affording him time to fully recover from his knee issues, which limited the big man to 41 regular-season games last season.

The Rockets went 1-3 in the four games Howard missed due to the team's policy.

With this restriction now lifted, the 11-year vet will be able to play in Sunday's contest against the New York Knicks and again Monday versus the Detroit Pistons.

Now eligible to play in every game, Howard will be able to put his 13.8 points, 13.6 rebounds, and two blocks into action on a more consistent basis as his 5-9 squad looks to turn around its fortunes a month into its rocky 2015-16 campaign.