Dwight Howard hangs with stranded Rockets fans after Game 4

Dwight Howard hung around with fans stranded at the Toyota Center following Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.

Inside the Toyota Center last night, the Houston Rockets staved off elimination with a sizzling performance against the Golden State Warriors. As they were battling for their playoff lives, a violent storms battered Texas (there’s probably a sports/weather metaphor in here somewhere). According to initial reports, flooding had forced closures along Interstates 10 and 45, roughly 80,000 Houston residents lost power, and Texas governor Greg Abbott had declared a state of disaster for the area.

Following (and towards the end of) the Rockets’ Game 4 victory, team and arena officials offered a warning to all fans in attendance: stay inside the Toyota Center until the severe weather passes.

Concessions were opened and fans congregated until it was safe enough to leave. At one point, even Rockets center Dwight Howard came out to hang with some of the stranded individuals.

Pretty sweet move by D-Howard taking it to the streets. Things could’ve been a bit awkward had be been ejected during the game for hitting Andrew Bogut in the chops. Things also could’ve been incredibly depressing had Houston repeated its Game 3 performance, and withered away in front of the home crowd. Alas, they put on a show (Howard had 14 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals), and fans had a little extra time to bask in the glow of victory.

More from NBA

• Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
• 3 reasons the Blazers should trade Damian Lillard to the Heat and 2 reasons they shouldn’t
• LeBron James, Giannis, Damian Lillard all want that Mbappé money
• Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
• NBA rumors: Pistons determined to trade Killian Hayes