Howard returned to action Thursday night after missing the last two games with a puzzling left knee injury that caused considerable anguish among Orlando Magic fans.

Howard was back in his leadership role at Amway Arena, helping the Magic to a 90-78 victory over the once-proud but now beaten- down San Antonio Spurs.

Although the Magic won those two games without him, winning at Utah and Golden State, the thought of their superstar, Superman center with knee problems obviously had the Magic feeling uneasy.

Howard had called it a bruise. The team called it a strain. An MRI revealed some arthritis and tendonitis, stemming from overuse and possibly related to a broken bone in that leg he sustained when he was 15 years old.

At least for now, it looks fine.

The only thing broken was his string of 351 consecutive games -- every one since entering the league as the No. 1 pick of the 2004 draft. It was the fourth longest streak among active players until he missed the game in Utah.

Point guard Jameer Nelson led everyone with 24 points and seven assists. Howard had 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots, soaring over the rim to swat one shot 19 rows up into the seats. Although that swat was ruled goal-tending, it was vintage Howard showing off his athleticism.

Dwight looked fine out there tonight," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He rushed some shots, but he was running the floor and he looked good."

Van Gundy believes the knee problem for Howard stems from his spending each of the last three summers playing for Team USA, failing to let his legs recover after the grind of a long NBA season.

No question, that has something to do with the problem," Van Gundy said. "When you're talking about a joint injury like this, you're talking wear and tear. Obviously, the more he's on it, the more wear and tear there is going to be."

Howard is expected to start wearing a protective sleeve on his knee when he practices, and he also is expected to have his practice time reduced to alleviate the strain on his knee. Howard is trying to become just the fifth player in league history to lead the NBA in both rebounding and blocked shots in the same season. He played only 33 minutes Thursday, getting into foul trouble early in the second half.

He wasn't immediately available to comment after the game, retiring to the trainer room to get treatment for the knee, sending word that everyone felt good.

The Magic started slowly, making only one of their first nine shots. The Spurs looked even slower, though, having lost in New Orleans the night before when they blew a fourth-period lead.

The Magic grabbed the lead midway in the first -- on a tip-in by Howard -- and never trailed.