Wizards' Howard out with knee injury

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Washington Wizards forward Josh Howard will miss the rest of the season because of a torn knee ligament, the NBA team said Tuesday.

Howard was injured in the first quarter of the Wizards' home game Monday against the Chicago Bulls. A subsequent examination determined he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It is expected he will need surgery to repair the injury and will be out for the rest of the year.

Howard joined Washington last week as part of a seven-player deal that moved the 6-foot-7 forward from Dallas to the Wizards. In 35 games this season he averaged 12.7 points and 3.6 rebounds.

He was in his seventh NBA season after the Mavericks selected him in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft. He has career averages of 15.3 points and 6 rebounds a game.