Report: Howard says he will have back surgery

Orlando’s All-Star center will undergo surgery on Friday morning in Los Angeles to repair a herniated disk. The operation will end his season and keep him from playing in the Olympics in London.

Howard tells ESPN: “I tried to play through it and it just made my back worse.”

Howard has been dealing with back problems since early March, but it wasn’t until last week that a doctor discovered the herniated disk.

There has been constant speculation about Howard’s future in Orlando and his relationship with coach Stand Van Gundy. In February, Howard relinquished the option to become a free agent after this season and said he did not want to be traded.