All major medical issues that would be considering life- or career-threatening have been eliminated in regard to center Erick Dampier's health, an NBA source said Thursday.

The Mavericks have breathed a sigh of relief with the results but are still waiting on the returns from more tests, the source added.

Dampier became ill in pregame warm-ups Sunday against Detroit and was transported to a hospital in Pontiac, Mich. He was at Wednesday's game, wearing street clothes and sitting on the bench with his teammates.

There is no timetable for a return to game action for Dampier.

Howard getting closer: Josh Howard had his third annual charity bowling event in Addison and said rehab on his left ankle is going well.

"It's getting better, and I'm going to try to be out there real soon," he said.

Howard said he probably rushed back too fast from off-season surgery but added "at the time, it felt like it was OK."

Eddie Sefko