Dwight Howard starting Game 2

— -- OAKLAND, Calif. -- Despite being a game-time decision due to a sprained ligament in his left knee,  Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard will be in the starting lineup Thursday night for Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors.

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. He finished with seven points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes.

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.

"I want to be out there," Howard said, "but the most important thing is that I'm out there for the whole series."

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

ESPN's Calvin Watkins and The Associated Press contributed to this report.