Dwight Howard describes right shoulder as “fine”

Two days removed from playing for the first time in a week, Lakers center Dwight Howard provided a positive prognosis surrounding his right shoulder.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I haven’t had any issues.”

Howard will play tonight when the Lakers (16-21) host the Milwaukee Bucks (19-17) at Staples Center. But Howard missed Monday’s practice in favor of getting treatment on his right shoulder, which had a separated labrum. That injury stemmed last week from the Clippers’ Caron Butler and Denver’s Andre Miller fouling him on his shoulder. Howard then missed the next three games to restrengthen the shoulder before being susceptible to more contact inside.

Howard says he’s monitoring the injury “every day” so that he avoids another scenario where a hard foul could aggravate his shoulder. But he’s maintained that won’t inhibit him from playing aggressively. In the Lakers’ 113-93 win Sunday over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Howard posted 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting and 14 rebounds in what marked his first game since suffering the injury.

“I treat it everyday,” Howard said, “and pray that I’m protected.”

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