The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz forward Josh Howard:
Because of some recent swelling of Howard’s left knee, he underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests on the knee on Monday. The MRI test results were examined by Jazz team orthopedist Dr. Lyle Mason, and revealed a chip in the lateral femoral cartilage within Howard’s left knee. This injury will require surgery in order to prevent further damage to the knee. As a result, Howard is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
An update on Howard’s status and timeframe for his recovery will be provided following the surgery.
Howard (6-7, 210, Wake Forest), in his ninth NBA season and first with Utah, appeared in 41 games (18 starts) with the Jazz this season and averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.4 minutes per game. A 2007 NBA All-Star, Howard holds career averages of 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 494 games (399 starts) with Dallas, Washington and Utah. He was signed by the Jazz as a free agent on December 15, 2011. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Howard was originally selected by the Mavericks in the first round (29th pick) of the 2003 NBA Draft.
