Here's the Houston Chronicle reporting the latest on Rockets center Dwight Howard, who hopes to return to action soon:

Rockets center Dwight Howard said he is “close” to being back on the court for his team this season.

Howard has missed 23 games to rest his right knee, but he has been back on the court and went through a full practice with the Rockets earlier this week.

“I have been feeling pretty good,” Howard said on Wednesday. “I had some pretty good days of practice this week.”

Howard did not give a specific date for his return, but was optimistic that he would be back shortly.

Howard said that over the last eight weeks, he has made the jump from running in a pool, to doing intense workouts on a treadmill. He is now back in full contact practice with the team and should be ready to return soon.