Lakers F Hill returns to practice

Published Oct. 18, 2012 3:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Forward Jordan Hill has returned to practice with the Los Angeles Lakers, but will sit out their next preseason game alongside Dwight Howard.

Coach Mike Brown says Hill didn't do any contact drills, but participated in about two-thirds of Thursday's workout. The backup big man has been sidelined with a herniated disc in his back since early last week.

Brown says Howard, Hill and Earl Clark all will sit out when the Lakers take on the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas on Friday night in their fifth of eight preseason games.

Howard still hasn't made his debut with the Lakers, but sounds eager to try out his surgically repaired back in a game. The six-time All-Star center is participating in all parts of practice with his new team.