Dwight Howard in action for the Houston Rockets.
May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) is fouled during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 113-100 to win the series 4-3. Reuters/Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight Howard will not be missing Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Despite committing a flagrant 1 foul, NBA.com reported that the Houston Rockets center will not be suspended for Game 5.

In Game 4, Howard was called for a flagrant 1 foul early in the third quarter. He threw his left elbow at Andrew Bogut’s head. The back of his hand hit the Warriors center’s face.

According to Rod Thorn, NBA President of Basketball Operations, Howard attempted to free himself from Bogut, so he recklessly hit the latter in the face with an open hand. Game officials considered the physical contact unnecessary, based on replay review. Howard indicated after the game that he did not intentionally hurt Bogut. The NBA also did not find a reason to modify the call. Howard could have been suspended for Game 5 on May 28 if the league upgraded the call to a flagrant 2 foul.

Bleacher Report wrote that Stu Jackson, predecessor of Rod Thorn, thought that the league was mild on Howard.

“Baffled #Howard contact was not upgraded to FFP2. Hard contact to face, reckless, released arm and flailed for free head shot and history,” Jackson posted.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr did not comment whether he thought a flagrant 1 foul was too light. He believed that contact was clearly above Bogut’s shoulders. “He elbowed him in the head, so I don't really know what the rule is. I'm not sure anyone really knows what the rule is. Seriously, it just seems like every case is a little different. There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, and there is a lot of gray area in all these plays, so I understand that,” Kerr said in the same NBA.com report.

Atlanta Hawk’s Al Horford and Cleveland Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith received more severe penalties for contact above the shoulders at the Eastern Conference Finals.

Before Game 4, the Rockets were on the verge of being swept by the Warriors but Houston fought back to win one game, pushing the series to 3-1.

To contact the writer of this story, send an email to v.doctor@ibtimes.com.au