The Houston Rockets have confirmed that Dwight Howard is out indefinitely after he was forced to have an injection in his knee.

It was confirmed earlier this week that Howard was battling with a bone marrow aspirate injection, and that the team would reevaluate his condition in four weeks, but Dr Walt Lowe, who performed the procedure, has dismissed fears that the 29-year-old could be a doubt for the playoffs.

"It's really a shot," Lowe told Fox26 Sports. "It's not a surgical procedure. It's a 20-minute deal. I don't think it's a very big deal.

"I would certainly expect him before the playoffs. I really expect him to recover and play again this season."

Howard has averaged 16.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season.