After months of anticipation, Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard made his Laker debut Sunday night in front of the Lakers crowd.

Nearly six months after undergoing major back surgery to repair a herniated disk, Howard played his first game as a Laker in a 99-92 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Though the game ended in defeat, Howard performed well scoring 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two assists for the night while playing 33 minutes.

"It was fun," Howard told reporters after the game. "I had a lot of fun tonight. I'm just thankful and blessed to be able to step on the floor again.

I actually shed a couple tears tonight during the starting lineups. One of my teammates caught me so I had to like try to hide it. I was just excited and a little emotional because I haven't been on the court in awhile."

Though having a solid game in his first game back, Howard's teammate Kobe Bryant still sees room for improvement in his game.

Bryant, who for months insisted that the Lakers offense would primarily run through Howard, has pushed for Howard to become a more complete offensive player, or, in his words, "challenge him to do more than just screen-and-roll and dunk. We want opposing teams to see him as a dominant force."

Related Articles:

Ray Allen Claims He Had No Choice But To Leave The Boston Celtics

Miami's LeBron James Dismisses Potential Lakers Signing Rumors

Achilles Injury Will Sideline Knicks Guard J.R. Smith For The Remainder Of The Preseason