P. LEAGUE+ & T1 LEAGUE/Dwight Howard likely out two weeks with an injury

Taipei, Nov. 21 (CNA) Taoyuan Leopards' newly recruited eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard will likely be out of action for two weeks after he felt some knee discomfort during a home game on Sunday, according to the T1 LEAGUE pro basketball club Monday.

Howard felt his left knee act up after a teammate ran into his leg in the first half of a 103-94 home loss to the Taichung Suns at National Taiwan Sport University's multipurpose arena in Taoyuan.

After doctors examined the knee Monday morning, they said he did not have a major injury but suggested that Howard rest for two weeks and return to action after fully recovering, the Leopards said in a statement.

Howard thanked Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for their efforts and instructions for follow-up treatment, the Leopards said.

Howard also visited a traditional Chinese medicine clinic for a second opinion, the Leopards said.

The former NBA all-star will probably miss the Leopards' next two games -- against the Suns on the road on Nov. 27 and against the defending champion Kaohsiung Aquas, also on the road, on Dec. 4.

If the doctors' timetable holds, Howard will be back for his team's following game, at home against the Tainan TSG GhostHawks on Dec. 16.

Howard, who will turn 37 in December, was the first overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft and went on to become an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. He also won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019-2020 season.

He arrived in Taiwan Nov. 10 to join the Leopards and has played two games for the Taoyuan team.