Dwight Howard will be out for at least a month due to issues with his right knee.

The Houston Rockets are confident Howard will be back with enough time left for the end of the regular season run.

Howard is still in the process of getting additional consultation from various doctors to determine the best treatment course for the knee.

Dwight Howard will receive a second opinion on his right knee and could miss an extended period of time.

Howard underwent an MRI on the knee on Wednesday.

Howard is suffering from swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the knee.

The average NBA franchise valuation is now a record $1.1 billion.

There are now 11 NBA teams worth at least $1 billion, compared to three a year ago.

The Los Angeles Lakers lead the way at $2.6 billion, up 93% over last year. 

The value of the New York Knicks shot up 79% to $2.5 billion, ranking the team second overall.

Rounding out the top five are the Chicago Bulls ($2 billion), Boston Celtics ($1.7 billion) and Los Angeles Clippers ($1.6 billion).

6. Brooklyn Nets: $1.5 billion
7. Golden State Warriors: $1.3 billion
8. Houston Rockets: $1.25 billion
9. Miami Heat: $1.175 billion
10. Dallas Mavericks: $1.15 billion
11. San Antonio Spurs: $1 billion
12. Portland Trail Blazers: $940 million
13. Oklahoma City Thunder: $930 million
14. Toronto Raptors: $920 million
15. Cleveland Cavaliers: $915 million
16. Phoenix Suns: $910 million
17. Washington Wizards: $900 million
18. Orlando Magic: $875 million
19. Denver Nuggets: $855 million
20. Utah Jazz: $850 million
21. Indiana Pacers: $830 million
22. Atlanta Hawks: $825 million
23. Detroit Pistons: $810 million
24. Sacramento Kings: $800 million
25. Memphis Grizzlies: $750 million
26. Charlotte Hornets: $725 million
27. Philadelphia 76ers: $700 million
28. New Orleans Pelicans: $650 million
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: $625 million
30. Milwaukee Bucks: $600 million

Kevin Garnett has been suspended one game by the NBA for his altercation with Dwight Howard in Monday's game between the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets, the league announced.

Howard will receive a fine of $15,000.

James Harden leads the NBA in three-point field goals produced with 195 combined made three's and assisted three's through Jan. 4.

Damian Lillard ranks second with 170, followed by Stephen Curry (159), Kyle Lowry (141) and Ty Lawson (138).

Harden has assisted on 113 three-pointers and 58 corner-three-pointers.

For the NBA as a whole, 84 percent of three-pointers are assisted and 96 percent of corner three-pointers. 

Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors and James Harden of the Houston Rockets have been named the NBA Players of the Month for December, the league announced.

Lowry averaged 22.3 points and 8.9 assists in 15 games in December.

Harden averaged 30.6 points, 7.1 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

The Houston Rockets have reassigned Nick Johnson to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League.

Johnson has played 17 games for the Rockets this season.