DALLAS -- Josh Howard, nursing a left thigh bruise that kept him out of Saturday night's home loss to Utah, practiced for a second consecutive day Tuesday and appears on track to play Wednesday night when the Mavericks welcome the Los Angeles Lakers.

That's the good news. The bad news is starting center Erick Dampier and reserve forward Tim Thomas are questionable, and newly acquired forward Eduardo Najera is doubtful.

Dampier has been dealing with a left knee effusion, or fluid on the knee. He missed the Mavs' 35-point blowout loss in Los Angeles on Jan. 3, a game in which Lakers center Andrew Bynum took advantage for 19 points on 8-of-8 shooting.

"It's an example of why he's so important to us," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "But, he's important to us at both ends, not just defensively guarding Bynum and [Pau] Gasol, but offensively he makes a lot of important things happen for us with his screening and movement and activity around the basket."

Thomas did not practice Wednesday after stepping on teammate Drew Gooden's foot at hurting his right Achilles during Tuesday's practice. Carlisle didn't seem optimistic that Thomas would be available, although he listed him as day-to-day.

Najera made his first public appearance in his second stint with the Mavs on Tuesday. He played just 13 games this season with the Nets because of a lower back injury. He said he's not 100 percent, but getting closer. He said if the Mavs desperately need him against L.A., he could give it a go.