Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard has insisted that he is "still a champion", despite his team losing in the Western Conference finals.

The Rockets were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors after losing the series 4-1, with their rivals taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

"It's tough, but I won't stop fighting," Howard told reporters.

"I'm going to continue to push myself to the limit and remember that, no matter how the season ends, I'm still a champion. And I won't let anyone tell me anything different."

Howard's best post-season result was leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009.