Dwight Howard Won't Be Suspended for Flagrant Foul on Andrew Bogut in Game 4

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard was assessed a flagrant-1 foul for elbowing Golden State Warriors counterpart Andrew Bogut in the head during Houston's 128-115 victory on Monday.

The NBA's president of basketball operations, Rod Thorn, confirmed the ruling on Howard's foul Tuesday and indicated he wouldn't be suspended for his conduct, per NBA Official on Twitter:

Howard's unfortunate lashing out at Bogut in the third quarter could have well been upgraded to a flagrant-2 foul, which could have gotten him suspended for Game 5. Thankfully for Howard and the Rockets, it didn't come to that.

The incident could have cost the Rockets dearly in Game 4 if not for a scorching 45-point opening quarter and an epic 45-point night from MVP runner-up James Harden. Houston has to be relieved it won't be losing its big man for another elimination game Wednesday at Oracle Arena.

Thorn's predecessor, Stu Jackson, certainly felt Howard got off rather easy:   

Although the Rockets showed they could play well enough without Howard for half of the regular season to still hold on for the No. 2 playoff seed, he's a necessary force to have up front in this series. Bogut is one of the best paint defenders in the Association, and Howard is a rare specimen who demands Bogut's attention.

If Houston is going to have any chance of forcing the series back to Texas, Howard must exercise better judgment. He can't let Bogut get under his skin and get into foul trouble.

Otherwise there won't be much suspense in determining the champion of the West. Those who do not hold Howard in high regard will have plenty of fuel to criticize him further if he doesn't learn from the experience.