Orlando Magic franchise center Dwight Howard will undergo season-ending back surgery, according to a report from ESPN's Ric Bucher, who spoke with the All-Star center's agent on Thursday night. The surgery to repair a herniated disk will take place Friday morning in Los Angeles. It will not only end his 2012 NBA season, but it will also prevent him from participating in the 2012 Olympics on Team USA. His agent, Dan Fegan addressed the surgery, as well as allegations that Howard was mailing it in recently. Via Ric Bucher:
"Dwight has never laid down once in his entire career," Fegan said. "It's absurd that some publicly, and others privately, speculated that Dwight was laying down or quitting. In fact, he was working his hardest to play through an injury which now requires surgery."
Howard spoke with Chris Broussard of ESPN, to address the season-ending injury. Via @ChrisBroussard:
It hurts (emotionally). & with people saying I'm quitting on my team. This is a real issue, I tried to play through it and it just made my back worse. The Dr. said I can start rehab right away and be back to full contact in 4 months. If anything, I'll come back stronger.
For more on the Howard Injury, check out this StoryStream. For more on the Magic, check out Orlando Pinstriped Post.