Washington Wizards center Dwight Howard underwent back surgery on Friday and will be re-evaluated in two to three months.
The Wizards announced the surgery, performed by Dr. Robert Watkins in Marina Del Rey, California, was completed without complications.
The procedure involved an L4-L5 lumbar microdiscectomy, with the aim to relieve pain from a gluteal injury that has sidelined Howard, 32, for much of his first season with the Wizards.
Surgery was recommended after consultation with Dr. Watkins, Wizards director of medical services and team orthopedist Dr. Wiemi Douoguih having determined that a disk herniation was causing severe nerve irritation and gluteal pain.
Howard, who signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Wizards in the offseason, has played in just nine games this season.
