Dwight Howard will sit out tonight’s Magic-Rockets exhibition

Others, particularly Rocket and Magic fans, might disagree after James Harden and Tobias Harris both injured their knees in Sunday night’s preseason game.

Dwight Howard didn’t play in the game, and probably James Harden shouldn’t have either.

Houston Rockets star James Harden left in the second quarter of a preseason game with a knee bruise Sunday and did not return to play. Harden finished the game with 12 points in a loss to the Magic.

Harden placed second in voting for the National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award last season but he will have new teammate, Ty Lawson in the backcourt. Trevor Ariza and Patrick Beverley each had four assists.

Tonight’s Magic-Rockets matchup will be held at State Farm Arena, the home of the Rockets’ National Basketball Association Development League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The Rockets defeated the Nuggets 108-96.

Corey Brewer led all Rockets scorers with 20 points in 22 minutes, hitting two three-pointers.