Rockets' Omer Asik out at least 1 week with thigh contusion

Omer Asik has averaged less than 15 minutes per game over the past five games. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Dwight Howard will have a little more pressure to man the paint over at least the next four games as the Houston Rockets' 7-foot center, Omer Asik, is out for at least a week with a right thigh contusion, Rockets.com's Jason Friedman tweeted Wednesday.

The Rockets are already shorthanded heading into Wednesday's match up at home against the Phoenix Suns. Jeremy Lin and Greg Smith are dealing with lingering ankle sprains, and Chandler Parsons is questionable with a sore back after missing the team's six-point loss to the Utah Jazz earlier this week. Friedman reported that Asik will be reevaluated in a week to determine if he's ready to return.

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While certainly a blow to the depth of the Rockets frontcourt, the team has managed to string together a 4-1 record with Asik playing just 15 minutes or less over the past five games.

The Rockets, who are currently listening to trade offers for Asik, are 13-6 and second in the Southwest Division heading into Wednesday's game vs. the Suns.

In Asik's absence, head coach Kevin McHale will likely elect to give Donatas Motiejunas more playing time.

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