The Wizards‘ big free agent signing of the 2018 offseason hasn’t worked out as planned so far, as health issues have limited Dwight Howard to just nine games this season. However, Howard – who underwent surgery on his spine in November, appears to be making progress toward a return.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter), Howard is scheduled to return to Washington today to begin on-court work. With the Wizards’ playoff hopes on life support, the team could use the veteran center back in its lineup to provide rebounding and low-post scoring down the stretch. As Ben Standig of NBC Sports Washington notes though, it’s still not clear whether Howard is ready to participate in full practices or when he might be able to play in a game.
Here are a few more injury-related updates from around the NBA:
- Rockets center Clint Capela returned to practice on Tuesday after missing 15 games with a thumb injury, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. According to MacMahon, Capela is on track to get back in Houston’s lineup on Thursday, assuming he doesn’t have any setbacks this week.
- Spencer Dinwiddie, who continues to recover from a thumb injury of his own, still doesn’t have a set timeline for his return, according to Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson. As Brian Lewis of The New York Post details, Atkinson wouldn’t confirm that he expects Dinwiddie back on the court for Brooklyn’s upcoming 17-day road trip, which begins on March 13.
- Gordon Hayward twisted his ankle in a Tuesday workout, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said today to reporters, including Adam Kaufman of NBC Sports Boston (Twitter link). While that sounds like concerning news on the surface, particularly given Hayward’s strong recent play, Kaufman notes that the injury is to the forward’s right ankle, not his surgically repaired left ankle. He’s considered day-to-day.
No way they re-sign Dwight if they don’t make the playoffs.
Hard to see him not retiring after this season.
Seems this year was already his rest and vest year.
He said before the year he had 10 years left
This dude was a top 5 player once and now he’s garbage.
He is no longer top 5. But Calling him garbage is ignorant
Garbage may be too strong a word. How about: Cancer, Cry Baby, Immature, Washed Up. 10 more years lmao!
I think he got a player option next year for like 5 mil. He probably gonna exercise it cause he ain’t getting 5 mil anywhere else
Of course. Thomas Bryant has played so well and he can stretch the floor. I think he is the man moving forward.
d12 and melo to china $$
Wow I totally forgot Dwight Howard existed
Howard and Hayward should get together with Melo and form a Big3 team.