Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale didn't exactly say that center Dwight Howard will sit out Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, but he may as well have.

McHale said he'd be shocked if Howard plays. In other words, he's out. — Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 28, 2015

Howard originally hurt his right ankle Friday against the Phoenix Suns. He sat out against the lowly Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, but told media he expected to play Wednesday.

However, the big man tweaked the ankle in practice Tuesday.

This will be Howard's 14th DNP this season, already the highest single-season total of his career. He missed 12 games in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.