Thank goodness, some good news outta Houston.

The big redhead is back, and I don't mean Bill Walton or Dave Cowens. Nope, Joe Curl is back, just four months removed from double-bypass surgery. But the Big Guy got clearance from his doctors and says he will return for Thursday's game at Tulsa.

"Dr. (Michael) Sweeney, the guy who tore my chest open, gave me the green light (Monday) to come back," Curl said. "I think it's really a good time (to return). If the team was on a 12-game winning streak I'd say, 'That's OK. My heart still hurts.' But they've lost (three straight) games, so this is the right time."