Magic C Howard has bruised thumb

May 4, 2008 - 4:06 AM AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- Orlando Magic superstar center Dwight Howard suffered a bruised left thumb in Saturday's 91-72 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game One of their Western Conference semifinal series.

He is expected to play in Game Two on Monday.

Howard left the game with 42 seconds remaining in the third quarter with the injured thumb, which was suffered while trying to grab a rebound. He accidentally was whacked by Pistons center Theo Ratliff.

The All-Star center winced in pain as trainers wrapped his hand on the bench but was able to return to the game just 1:38 into the final period. However, after the injury, he seemed less aggressive and was not a factor in the final 12 minutes.

X-rays, which were taken after the game, showed no serious damage.

"It's fine. It's just a bruised thumb," Howard said. "I'll be all right."

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was more interested in some improved play by the 22-year-old Howard, who led the NBA in rebounding this season. He collected just 12 points and eight boards on Saturday.

"(The Pistons) play him the most physically of any team," Van Gundy said. "It's hard for him to get great position. He always has bodies on him, they are always pushing him and he has contact on every play, which kind of takes him a little off-balance.

"They did a very good job of this tonight, and I also think they did a pretty good job of keeping him off the glass, particularly in the second half."