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Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard sat out the team's second preseason game Wednesday night -- a 93-75 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers -- and while the six-time All-Star appears healthy, he's not ready to say when he might make his Lakers debut.
Howard, who is recovering from offseason back surgery, has been participating in Lakers' practices with no apparent limitations, but the team's prized offseason acquisition isn't quite ready to step on the floor for preseason game action with his new teammates.
''I feel pretty good, but I keep telling you guys, I want to be 110 percent,'' Howard said. ''I have to make sure I'm in great shape, and my conditioning is where it needs to be. It's a process, and we'll get there.''
It remains to be seen whether Howard will suit up for the Lakers' next preseason game on Saturday against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, but it doesn't appear that he's willing to rush his rehabilitation process.
Tip-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be televised on the Time Warner Cable Sports Network.