Spinal surgery sidelines Howard

Wizards centre Dwight Howard is expected to miss two to three months after spinal surgery Friday to relieve pain in his glutes. Doctors determined a herniated disk was causing Howard’s pain. Howard — who signed a two-year, $11-million (U.S.) contract in the off-season — had missed the past five games after aggravating the injury, which also caused him to sit out training camp and seven other games.