Dwight Howard sidelined vs. Mavericks with injured ankle

The Houston Rockets will once again have to make do without their man in the middle.

Rockets interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters shortly before Sunday's game against the Dallas Mavericks that center Dwight Howard will miss his second straight contest due to a sprained ankle.

Howard sustained the injury during Wednesday's Hack-a-Drummond-fest against the Detroit Pistons. The 30-year-old bumped into Rockets guard Ty Lawson and had to exit less than a minute after tipoff.

Second-year center Clint Capela got the start in place of Howard against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Capela had six points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes before fouling out.

Howard is averaging 14.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game this season.