Magic’s Howard doing well after season-ending back operation

Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard. AFP

ORLANDO, Florida — Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard was doing well after arthroscopic surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back, the NBA team’s doctor said Friday.

Howard had the procedure in California and is expected to make a complete recovery in about four months.

Even if Magic team doctor Craig Mintzer is correct in his prediction that Howard will return to All-Star form, it won’t be in time for him to represent the United States at the London Olympics.

Mintzer said Howard was disappointed about that, but said there was every reason to think Howard’s surgery would be a success.

“Is it going to be perfect? It should be,” the doctor said.

“It really should be. He shouldn’t have restrictions whatsoever. He should come back fully. There shouldn’t be an issue there. Really, it’s just a matter of time.”

Howard, the reigning three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Orlando’s leading scorer and rebounder, had missed the playoff-bound Magic’s last six games before the team confirmed he needed surgery.