Dwight Howard will make his Lakers debut tonight

Dwight Howard will suit up for the Lakers tonight for the first time.

The six-time All-Star underwent surgery last April and sat out five exhibition games but will take the court against the Sacramento Kings in an exhibition at Staples Center.

Howard and the Lakers were non-committal earlier in the day but he was medically cleared after going through the morning walk-through without any problems.

The Lakers could use Howard, even though it’s only an exhibition game. They are off to their worst exhibition start ever, sitting at 0-5 as the only NBA team without a victory.

Howard predicted on Saturday that his debut would be memorable.

“It’ll be the first time I’ve played basketball in a long time so I’ll probably be a little emotional,” he said. “I hope it doesn’t happen that way, where I get out there and start crying.”

Howard averaged 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds last season with Orlando.

ALSO:

Preseason game preview: Lakers vs. Kings

Distribution of Lakers channel still in negotiations

While waiting for Dwight Howard, Lakers play jumbled basketball