Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard was not with the
team for last night’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he
returned to LA to undergo Platelet-rich plasma therapy on his injured shoulder,
according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com.
Dwight Howard will return to L.A. to undergo a PRP procedure on his sore R shoulder. He’ll rejoin the team in Detroit (game on Sunday).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 1, 2013
Howard is trying to avoid undergoing surgery on his
shoulder. He does not have a complete labrum tear, but the lingering injury
proves painful and continues to sideline him sporadically throughout the
season.
The PRP therapy is supposed to accelerate the healing
process, and the Lakers and Howard hope the procedure will help the center
avoid surgery.
Howard is slated to rejoin the Lakers Sunday in Detroit, but
he’s not expected to suit up for that contest against the Pistons. Instead,
Howard’s next game will likely come Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.
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