The Mavericks lost forward Josh Howard to a sprained left ankle and coach Avery Johnson was ejected in the second quarter of Monday night's game against the Warriors.  

To make matters even worse, starting guard Jason Terry was also ejected with 3:05 left to play for a hard takedown of Golden State's Monta Ellis on a drive to the basket.

Howard was hurt midway through the quarter in a collision with Mickael Pietrus. He took his own free throws, then was helped to the locker room. Soon after, club officials diagnosed the sprain and said he wouldn't return.

X-rays were negative, but an MRI exam is scheduled for today.

"We'll know more after that," coach Avery Johnson said. "But it's not looking too good right now. He was shooting, and a guy was moving up on him. It happened in two or three other games we were watching earlier."