Former NBA star Dwight Howard has formally withdrawn the restraining order he had filed against his wife, Amber Howard, as their acrimonious divorce proceedings continue to unfold. The eight-time All-Star initially sought the legal protection last week, with a judge approving it on April 7, but has now opted to drop it in an effort to pursue a more amicable resolution.
Legal Actions and Allegations
Howard filed for divorce from Amber Howard in March, shortly after she made a series of allegations against him, including claims that Child Protective Services had taken his daughter from a previous relationship. In response, Howard obtained a restraining order, accusing Amber of arriving uninvited at his Georgia mansion on April 5 and threatening him. Court documents indicated he checked a box alleging she had threatened him with a knife, gun, or other deadly weapon at some point.
Terms of the Restraining Order
Under the order, Amber was prohibited from approaching Howard's Georgia residence, his children's private school, or contacting any family members via phone or social media. However, Howard's attorney, Gillian B. Fierer, confirmed to TMZ that the protective order has been dropped to facilitate a smoother divorce process.
Background of the Split
The couple's relationship has been marked by rapid changes. They went public in December 2024, married in January 2025, and Amber filed for divorce in July 2025, only to reconcile months later. Howard's recent divorce filing describes the marriage as "irretrievably broken" and notes they have no children together, with Howard requesting sole access to marital property.
Dramatic 911 Call Emerges
Amid the ongoing dispute, TMZ obtained audio of a 911 call made by Amber, where she claimed Howard locked her out of their 35,000-square-foot home during an argument. In the call, she expressed frustration at being forced to sleep in her car and mentioned the house contains "over a thousand" weapons. She also admitted to forcing her way through a side gate in the rain, surprised neighbors hadn't reported her.
Howard's Career and Recent Developments
Howard, who won an NBA Championship with the LA Lakers in 2020, announced his retirement from basketball last month, citing the divorce drama as a factor. The allegations made by Amber, including the CPS claims, have not been confirmed, and representatives for Howard did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily Mail.
As the legal battle continues, both parties are navigating a complex divorce with public allegations and private struggles, highlighting the challenges faced by high-profile couples in the spotlight.
