Washington Wizards newly-acquired center Dwight Howard could be in danger of missing the team's season-opener against the Miami Heat after suffering a setback in his recovery from a lower-back injury. Howard recently returned to Washingotn D.C., leaving the team's current preseason road tripĀ to receive a pain-relief injection, according to Candace Buckner of The Washington Post.

Head coach Scott Brooks expressed hope to get Dwight Howard back in training next week, but wouldn't commit to a timeline for his return, as it depends on how sore he is while taking the practice court.

ā€œHe’s going to get a pain-relieving injection and hopefully early next week, he’ll be back on the court and be ready to play,ā€ Brooks said. ā€œI don’t know what that means for the first game, but we’re just gonna take it day by day.ā€

Howard has yet to get any meaningful action with the team in practice or preseason action, hurting himself even before the first day of training camp.

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ā€œThe good part is, it happened now so we can try to be able to manage it and get him ready for the season,ā€ Brooks said during Media Day. ā€œBut like I said, it’s nothing to be overly concerned. It’s just a little sore.ā€

Asked whether ā€œit was safe to sayā€ that if their big-man signing does not appear in one of the team’s five preseason games, he won't play in the season opener against Miami.

ā€œYeah, that’s safe,ā€ Brooks said

The Wizards have used a tandem of Ian Mahinmi and Jason Smith at center during the first, giving them mixed, but solid results through three games thus far.