Dwight Howard will play in Game 2

— -- OAKLAND, Calif. -- Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard will play Thursday night in Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors with a sprained ligament in his left knee.

Howard was listed as questionable, and after a 15-minute workout before the game, the team decided he would participate.

How effective Howard will be is a question considering his health and the fact that he will wear a heavy brace on the knee.

Howard suffered a Grade 1 sprain to his knee in the first quarter of Tuesday's Game 1 loss to the Warriors. Howard left the game to test the knee and was taken out for good with less than a minute to play in the fourth quarter.

Team medical officials have told Howard he would need seven to 10 days to recover but that it would be up to him if he could withstand the pain.

Howard looked good during a walk-through Thursday morning, dunking, moving laterally and attempting post moves.