Dwight Howard continues to participate in practice but is not expected to play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason opener against the Warriors.

"I couldn't tell you what he hasn't done," Mike Brown said. "Every time I look up, he's in the drills, whether it's contact or not. I don't have a rule where a guy has to play 'X' amount of games before he can play in the opener.

"He can play in one (exhibition) game and still play (in the opener). He may not play at all (in the exhibitions) and still play in the opener.

"The biggest thing for me is as long as he's had a practice beforehand then he can play."

Howard underwent back surgery in April.