Dwight Howard, who hasn't played since Jan. 30 because of edema in his right knee, expects to be back in two weeks, he told ESPN's Lisa Salters on Wednesday.
Howard worked out on the floor after the Houston Rockets' shootaround Wednesday morning in Portland, doing one-on-one work for the first time since a bone marrow aspirate injection in early February.
It was his first one-on-one work against a defender, although he's entering his second week of on-court activities.
He told Salters that his knee feels good, he hasn't had any problems or setbacks and his conditioning is good.
Rockets coach Kevin McHale said Saturday that Howard was "starting to do a combination of treadmill and floor stuff, which is a good sign."
"They're going slow. They want to make sure that they have a handle on it," McHale said.
Howard started rehab immediately after the bone marrow aspirate injection. The team said Howard would be out four to six weeks and that Howard's status would be evaluated after four weeks.
McHale had said he expected Howard to return before the end of the regular season.
Howard is averaging 16.3 points and 11 rebounds in 32 games this season.
Information from ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins and The Associated Press was used in this report.