Rockets Dwight Howard leaves game early with ankle injury

It was an up and down night for Rockets center Dwight Howard. He knocked down his fifth career three-pointer while the shot clock was winding down, but he left Friday's game with an apparent ankle injury.

Howard left in the first half after rolling his ankle going for a rebound. He was in clear pain and walked gingerly his leg. Howard went to the locker room and did not return.

Dwight Howard rolled his right ankle on this rebound attempt and left the game walking with a limp. pic.twitter.com/rIoRdxfpOv

— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 24, 2015

The Rockets announced that Howard had a right ankle sprain:

Dwight Howard has a right ankle sprain and will not return to the game.

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 24, 2015

Without Howard, the Rockets are left to lean on Joey Dorsey, Donatas Motiejunas, and Josh Smith to protect the paint. The Rockets are locked in a tight one with the Suns in the fourth without Howard.