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Dwight Howard Eyes NBA Comeback, In-Season Tournament Game Before Retiring

Jack MurrayDecember 10, 2023

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - FEBRUARY 19: Dwight Howard #12 of the Taoyuan Leopard made a layup shot during the T1 League game between TaiwanBeer HeroBears and Taoyuan Leopards at University of Taipei Tianmu Gymnasium on February 19, 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Gene Wang/Getty Images

It's safe to say that Dwight Howard got some inspiration from the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament.

The eight-time All-Star is currently eyeing an NBA comeback after being away from the league since the 2021-22 season. He spent 2022-23 with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan and was linked to the Golden State Warriors at one point this offseason.

While he has not appeared in a game yet this season, the 38-year-old took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to express his desire to take the court for an In-Season Tournament game before he calls it a career.

Dwight Howard @DwightHoward

I turned 38 today 🎈 and I thought about it lol… I'm not retiring before I have the chance to say I played in a In season tournament game lol

The tournament debuted this season and saw a group stage followed by a single-elimination knockout round. All games were played at home courts before the semifinals and championship game, which were played in Las Vegas.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers advanced to the first championship game, which took place Saturday night. Given Howard's multiple stints with the Lakers franchise, it's certainly east to see how he felt drawn to the event.

Howard has career averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. While he is not the superstar that he used to be, he could certainly provide a veteran presence to a team in need of experienced role players.