Howard Has a Herniated Disc in his Back

Magic center Dwight Howard was diagnosed with a doctor in Los Angeles with a herniated disc in his lower back, said team spokesman.

Howard missed the Magic 109-81 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, the fifth game he missed in Orlando last seven trips.

Magic spokesman Joel Glass said Howard visited Dr. Robert Watkins, after Howard flew back early Friday for a second opinion, for what used to be called back spasms since he was injured early as late March.

There is no timetable for his return, and will be based on how he responds to treatment.

Howard plans to fly back to Orlando on Saturday.

Magic 1.4 is now without him this season.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Howard was in pain after a workout on Thursday, the team and the coach does not expect that he will be ready to play in Cleveland on Sunday or Monday against Philadelphia.

The magic came on Friday related to a place in the Eastern Conference in Atlanta, but the Hawks to a tiebreaker in the head in the head. They stayed in the same place, resulting in the loss.

In his fifth game of the regular season, Howard missed to install a new career high for games missed this season. He missed four games last season. Before this season, Howard missed only two games in his career due to injury. The rest were either due to illness or suspension.