Josh Howard wasn't breaking any speed records in his first game back. But at least he was breaking a sweat.

While he was limited to less than a quarter's worth of work in the first half, the Mavericks small forward was back after missing eight games because of a sprained right ankle. Howard finished with four points and three rebounds, but not necessarily a smile on his face.

"I wanted to be out there [in the second half]," Howard said. "But the ankle got stiff at halftime, and coach said it was best not to play."

Going on adrenaline, Howard looked lively early in the game, although he said he felt the ankle tweak a couple of times.

His return, even at less than 100 percent, pushed the Mavericks closer to full strength, and they could have a full complement of players for the first time this season by the end of the week.

Jerry Stackhouse, out all season because of swelling in his right knee, is scheduled to go through a full practice today. It will be an important day for the 6-6 swingman.

"We want to put the knee through some stressful situations and see how it responds," coach Avery Johnson said. "We're hoping for a full-scale (workout)."

How Stackhouse does in the aftermath will determine if he can return later in the week.