Mavericks forward Josh Howard is starting to approach full strength.

Howard is pleasantly surprised with the progress his surgically repaired left ankle has made recently.

"It's picking up," Howard said. "I'm doing my rehab. And actually, it's been a whole lot better. I'm surprised the way it's feeling now. I'm almost back to my old self."

He played the entire fourth quarter against the Kings on Saturday and was able to produce against the Lakers on Sunday.