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Big Magic blow as surgery ends Howard's season
Source: Agencies |
April 21, 2012, Saturday
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DWIGHT Howard will undergo surgery for a bad back, ending his season with the Orlando Magic and likely eliminating him from playing for the United States at the London Olympics, the team said on Thursday.
Magic General Manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel that the 26-year-old center will have surgery to fix a herniated disk in Los Angeles yesterday.
The surgery also means Howard, of Atlanta, Georgia, will probably not be able to play for Team USA in the upcoming 2012 London Games.
"After consulting with the two doctors, it's in his best interests to have surgery sooner rather than later," Smith said. "Basically, the situation is not getting better. I'm not saying it got worse. It's just not getting better."
The Magic have secured a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs but will be without their six-time All Star, who faces four months out.
"The doctor said it's a one-inch incision," Howard told ESPN.com. "He said I can start rehab right away and be back to full contact in four months. So I'm not really concerned. If anything, I'll come back stronger".
Howard has been struggling with back problems for the past month and has missed eight games this season.
The reigning three-time National Basketball Association Defensive Player of the Year, Howard was part of the gold medal winning US Olympics team in Beijing in 2008 and was named to the initial roster for London
On the court, the Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 83-72 in an encounter between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in Miami on Thursday.
Both teams have long secured postseason berths and are favorites to face off in the Conference finals but Thursday's intense battle gave fans an idea of what they can expect.
LeBron James continued his outstanding run of form with 27 points along with 11 rebounds and six assists for the Heat.
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Pacers 118, Bucks 109; Timberwolves 91, Pistons 80; Hornets 105, Rockets 99 (in overtime); and Suns 93, Clippers 90.
The playoffs begin on the weekend of April 28.
Magic General Manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel that the 26-year-old center will have surgery to fix a herniated disk in Los Angeles yesterday.
The surgery also means Howard, of Atlanta, Georgia, will probably not be able to play for Team USA in the upcoming 2012 London Games.
"After consulting with the two doctors, it's in his best interests to have surgery sooner rather than later," Smith said. "Basically, the situation is not getting better. I'm not saying it got worse. It's just not getting better."
The Magic have secured a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs but will be without their six-time All Star, who faces four months out.
"The doctor said it's a one-inch incision," Howard told ESPN.com. "He said I can start rehab right away and be back to full contact in four months. So I'm not really concerned. If anything, I'll come back stronger".
Howard has been struggling with back problems for the past month and has missed eight games this season.
The reigning three-time National Basketball Association Defensive Player of the Year, Howard was part of the gold medal winning US Olympics team in Beijing in 2008 and was named to the initial roster for London
On the court, the Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 83-72 in an encounter between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in Miami on Thursday.
Both teams have long secured postseason berths and are favorites to face off in the Conference finals but Thursday's intense battle gave fans an idea of what they can expect.
LeBron James continued his outstanding run of form with 27 points along with 11 rebounds and six assists for the Heat.
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Pacers 118, Bucks 109; Timberwolves 91, Pistons 80; Hornets 105, Rockets 99 (in overtime); and Suns 93, Clippers 90.
The playoffs begin on the weekend of April 28.
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