Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard will likely play against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register reports. Ding writes that Howard is, "said to be getting on a plane now in L.A.," presumably to join his teammates in the Motor City for a match-up against the Pistons.
While Howard initially said that he wouldn't return until the pain in his shoulder subsided, it appears that he's either had a change of heart or his condition has improved quickly. The big man missed the Lakers' 111-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday while sticking in Los Angeles for a platelet rich plasma procedure.
In the one game without Howard, Pau Gasol returned to the starting lineup and thrived for L.A., recording 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two assists. He also turned the ball over just once and committed zero turnovers despite being on the court for 37 minutes.