LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) Dwight Howard might be playing for the Lakers a lot sooner than we expected according to a report to Yahoo!

After undergoing back surgery in April, the talk was that Howard might miss the first month of the NBA season if not more.

Now, the report is saying otherwise.

Howard is now targeting the Lakers’ opening night game, against the Dallas Mavericks,  on October 30th,  at Staples Center.

On Wednesday, Howard practiced on the court on for the first time at the Lakers’ training facility.

It’s been five months since Howard had the surgery for a herniated disc and he still needs clearance from team doctors to participate in full training camp activities.