EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Dwight Howard has been cleared for limited five-on-five scrimmages with the Los Angeles Lakers in his latest step back from off-season surgery.
Howard won't play in the Lakers' next preseason game Wednesday night against Portland in Ontario, Calif.
Howard was cleared Tuesday for limited participation in full-court scrimmages with contact. He had participated in every other aspect of the Lakers' practices during training camp except full-court contact.
The six-time All-Star centre had surgery on his back last spring.
Howard hasn't projected a date for his Lakers debut, but is hopeful he can participate in a preseason game. After Wednesday's visit from the Trail Blazers, the Lakers will have six more exhibitions before their season opener Oct. 30 against Dallas.
