Rockets C Dwight Howard has left knee sprain, questionable for Game 2

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is questionable for Thursday's Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is questionable for Thursday's Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors, the team announced.

Howard had an MRI after he left Game 1 on Tuesday night with a bruised left knee. Howard initially left the game in the first quarter after falling on a rebound attempt. He returned late in the quarter but left once again in the fourth and did not return.

The Warriors won Game 1 of the series 110–106 behind NBA MVP Stephen Curry, who led all scorers with 34 points. 

"It's very painful," Howard said after the game. "I tried to play it off as much as possible, but I couldn't give my teammates what I needed to give them."

• MORE NBA:Curry outshines James Harden in Warriors' Game 1 win

Howard dealt with right knee discomfort for most of the regular season, missing more than two months because of the injury.

James Harden led the Rockets with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Howard had seven points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes.

The 29-year-old Howard is averaging 16.4 points and 13.8 rebounds this postseason for Houston.

• MORE NBA:Rockets' chances depend on the health of Howard

- Molly Geary and Scooby Axson