Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight HowardWho previously reportedly wasn’t sure whether he would be part of the resumed NBA season given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest in the U.S. says that he will actually play if the games come later in July to be resumed.
“I have a contractual obligation to my teammates, my fans, the Lakers, the organization, and everyone else, but at the same time I have an obligation to my family and community,” Howard said in an interview with Don from CNN Lemon Monday night. “Yes, I’m going to join my team in Orlando, but during that time we’re going to do a lot of work here in Atlanta and across the country to make sure people don’t forget us and what’s going on in our communities.”
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard says he’ll play when the NBA resumes its regular season. “Yes, I will join my team in Orlando.” pic.twitter.com/L77KhRYSec
– CNN (@CNN), July 7, 2020
Howard contributed to supporting the movement to end social inequality against blacks in the United States and informed Lemon that he would donate his remaining paychecks to his nonprofit campaign, Breathe Again.
Howard, a 15-year-old veteran, joined these Lakers after signing a one-year contract with the team in the off-season. The 34-year-old scored an average of 7.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in 62 games before the season closed in March due to the pandemic.
The Lakers are expected to play in one of the NBA’s two opening games for the resumed season when they compete against each other Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers on July 30th. The Lakers’ second game is on August 1 against defending champion Toronto Raptors.
