Nick Wass / AP

Washington's Josh Howard, back, passes the ball against Denver forward Kenyon Martin during the second half of their game Friday night. The Wizards won 107-97.

updated 10:38 p.m. ET Feb. 19, 2010

WASHINGTON - Josh Howard called a report that he missed a game last month with the Dallas Mavericks because he had a hangover a “lie.”

After Howard scored 20 points to help his new team, the Washington Wizards, beat the Denver Nuggets 107-97 on Friday night, he was asked about the ESPN.com report, which cited unidentified sources.

Howard said, “I’m not responding to a lie.”

Howard was traded to Washington from Dallas last week. He missed the Mavericks’ Jan. 20 game against Washington with what was announced as a stomach illness. He did not start another game for the Mavericks after that.

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