Dwight Howard expected to be out rest of season

Dwight Howard’s first season with the Washington Wizards is over after barely getting started.

Howard has been out of action since late November after undergoing back surgery. He was working his way back but experienced hamstring issues recently.

On Wednesday, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks pretty much confirmed what we already suspected — Howard’s season is in all likelihood over.

#Wizards coach Scott Brooks: “Its pretty safe to say” that Dwight Howard will not return to play for the rest of the year.

— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) March 28, 2019

This season for Howard has been a lost one. He missed all of the Wizards’ preseason games and the beginning of the regular season due to a strained muscle in his buttocks. Howard returned to play nine games before having to be shut down again, this time for good. In those games, Howard averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds.

Howard signed a two-year deal with the Wizards last offseason. It includes a $5.6 million player option for next season.