Dwight Howard Injury: Updates on Magic Star's Back Injury

The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard will once again miss time due to his back injury.

UPDATE: Sunday, April 15 at 4:40 p.m. ET by Brandon Galvin

The Orlando Magic may or may not have Dwight Howard (back) this postseason, states Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, according to Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins.

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SVG: “Look, anytime you have a guy on that kind of timetable you’ve got to assume that the playoffs are a 50-50 thing."

— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 15, 2012"

UPDATE: Saturday, April 14, 3:40 p.m. ET by Donald Wood

While the initial reports said that Howard will miss the next 10-14 days in order to rest his ailing backs, a new report says that surgery is not out of the question.

Ric Bucher is reporting about the possibility of surgery and how it has not been ruled out:

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Dwight Howard to rehab for 10-14 days. Re-evaluated after that. Surgery still a possibility. More you-know-where.

— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) April 14, 2012"

If you are a Magic fan, this is the worst possible news you could hear. The already dreary outlook on the herniated disk got even dimmer with the confirmation that surgery is not out of the question. The hopes of an NBA title are fading.

UPDATE: Saturday, April 14, 3:10 p.m. ET by Donald Wood

After much speculation about how long the back issues that have plagued Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard would keep him out of action, the star has a timetable for his possible return.

ESPN is reporting about Howard’s status for the rest of the regular season and possibly into the playoffs:

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Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard will attempt to treat the herniated disk in his lower back with rest and rehabilitation for the next 10-14 days and then be re-evaluated, a source familiar with Howard's condition told ESPN The Magazine.

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While it would be the smartest course of action to rest the injury to the fullest extent, the complete lack of trust between the organization and Howard has made it obvious that all delicate situations are even tougher to handle. If he says he needs to sit for two weeks, that’s what they will do.

UPDATE: Friday, April 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel has bad news about Howard's back:

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A team spokesman says Dwight Howard has a herniated disk in his lower back and there is no timetable for his return.

— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 14, 2012"

With the playoffs just a couple weeks away, that's not good news for the Magic.

UPDATE: Friday, April 13 at 12:05 p.m. ET

Things are a bit more grim for Howard playing over the weekend. Orlando Magic writer Dan Savage quotes head coach Stan Van Gundy via Twitter. Howard will miss more time.

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SVG: "@DwightHoward will not play tonight and we don't anticipate him playing Sunday or Monday."

— Dan Savage (@Dan_Savage) April 13, 2012"

UPDATE: Friday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. ET

Dwight Howard's nagging back injury has become so problematic that he is now seeking another opinion in Los Angeles. 

The Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins reports the Magic star is headed west due to the lingering back issue and will be out against the Atlanta Hawks. 

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Dwight Howard has gone to Los Angeles with a member of the Orlando Magic's medical staff to get a second opinion on his aching back and will not play when the team hosts the Atlanta Hawks tonight atAmway Center, team spokesman Joel Glass said.

Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy insisted as recently as Thursday afternoon that Howard has no structural issue with his back, such as a bulging disk. Van Gundy said that an MRI revealed no potentially long-term problems.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, April 10 at 5:40 p.m. ET

Howard will be out once again on Tuesday night. Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel has the latest news:

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Magic C Dwight Howard (back) will not play tonight against the Wizards.

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) April 10, 2012"

Howard sat out on Monday against the Detroit Pistons. Despite his absence, the Magic won 119-89. Since the Magic don't have to worry about missing the playoff cut, it stands to reason they'll continue to be careful with Howard.

UPDATE: Monday, April 9 at 12:18 p.m. ET

Howard will miss tonight's game against the Pistons and is also doubtful to play tomorrow against the Wizards, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins. 

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SVG said Dwight (back spasms) is doubtful for tomorrow's game against the #Wizards. But D12 should have Wed & Thurs off.

— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 9, 2012"

Considering the opponents, this is smart of Stan Van Gundy with the playoffs creeping up. 

UPDATE: Monday, April 9 at 11:56 a.m. ET

Despite playing recently, Howard will have an opportunity to rest his bothersome back when the Magic take on the Pistons tonight, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins. 

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No Dwight Howard (back) tonight, SVG said.

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"— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 9, 2012"

Update: Thursday, April 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET by Adam Wells

The Magic proved just how much they need Howard following a loss to Detroit on Tuesday. The good news is, it sounds like the star center will be back for tonight's game against the Knicks, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. 

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Stan Van Gundy says it "looks good" for Dwight Howard playing vs. Knicks. Jameer Nelson is game time. Ryan Anderson is out

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) April 5, 2012"

With the Magic fighting tooth and nail to get back in the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference—they are currently one game behind Indiana—Howard's presence is more important than ever before. 

UPDATE: Wednesday, April 4 at 5:05 p.m. ET by Eric Ball

The back spasms that have caused Howard to miss the last two games have yet to fully heal. But according to Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday, he still might play on Thursday:

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Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson are questionable and Ryan Anderson doubtful tomorrow for the Magic when they face the #Knicks.

— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 4, 2012"

The Magic play the Knicks at home in a nationally televised game in Orlando tomorrow night. With the TNT cameras on hand, it’s hard to imagine Howard skipping the game.

Check back periodically for all of the latest updates on the All-Star center’s back as the playoffs inch closer and every regular season game begins to take on extra meaning. 

UPDATE: Tuesday, April 3 at 2:50 p.m. ET by Donald Wood

With questions surrounding the health of the Magic’s star center, reports have surfaced that he will be a game-time decision in Orlando’s meeting with the Pistons in Detroit.

Magic beat writer for the Orlando Sentinel Josh Robbins is reporting on Twitter:

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Ryan Anderson will not play tonight (ankle). Dwight Howard (back) & Jameer Nelson (sore left calf) = game-time decisions.

— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 3, 2012"

The Pistons are fighting to stay out of the basement, so the idea of the Magic sitting their star to make sure that he is healthy for the long haul may not be a bad idea. They made be giving up this battle, but it's to win the long-term war.

Update: Monday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. ET

Despite not playing on Sunday against Denver due to a sore back, Howard is going to be traveling with the team as it prepares to take on Detroit tomorrow night, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel. 

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Dwight Howard (sore back) is making trip to Detroit today and is listed day-to-day for Tuesday's game.

— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) April 2, 2012"

The Magic are jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference right now. They are 1.5 games up on Boston for the No. 3 seed and can't afford to be without their superstar for too long if they want to stay there. 

The good news is they are playing the Pistons, so they might be able to get by without Howard if need be. 

Howard is having problems with his exceptionally long back. The Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins tweeted out the news.

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A #Magic spokesman said Dwight Howard will not play tonight because of back spasms.

— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 1, 2012"

You would not expect back spasms to keep him on the shelf for any prolonged stretch of time, but with backs, you just never really know. 

The Magic are in a position where Dwight's absence will not be too detrimental. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference. 

There is next to no chance that they will catch the Miami Heat for the second spot in the East, as they trail their in-state rivals by six games. 

They also have a 5.5-game lead on the eighth-place team in the East. 

They do have a full schedule ahead with four games this week, counting Sunday's. They will travel to Detroit, host the Knicks and travel to play Philadelphia next Saturday. 

The problem with this is all the traveling; a plane is not an ideal spot for a 7'0" man with a back problem.