Dwight Howard’s divorce fight with Amy Luciani has taken another turn in court.
The former NBA star claims in new legal documents that his estranged wife, whose legal name is Amber Rose Howard, misled him before their marriage and made public claims that damaged his reputation, according to TMZ.
Howard alleged that Luciani, a rapper and reality TV personality known by her stage name Amy Luciani, lied to him about her fertility before they married. TMZ reported that Luciani denies Howard’s claims.
The filing adds another disputed allegation to a divorce that has already involved dueling court filings, police visits, protective-order activity and public accusations from both sides.
Howard Claims Luciani Lied Before the Marriage
Ex-NBA Star Dwight Howard Claims Estranged Wife Tricked Him into Marriage https://t.co/lV73gCaZtL
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) June 15, 2026
TMZ reported that Howard filed court documents requesting a protective order against Luciani and accused her of having a “history of lying and manipulating” him. In the filing, Howard claimed Luciani knew she was unable to have children but denied it and “actively lied” about it, which he alleges led to their marriage.
The allegation remains Howard’s claim in an active divorce dispute. TMZ reported that Luciani is denying Howard’s version of events.
Howard also accused Luciani of starting what he called a “crusade of lies and defamation” against him, according to TMZ. He alleged that her statements cost him job opportunities and that she spread false claims about him to friends, family members and the mothers of his children.
The former Los Angeles Lakers center also denied Luciani’s earlier allegation that he used cocaine. TMZ reported that Howard said in the filing that he has never used cocaine and claimed the allegation cost him work.
The Pair Reportedly Agreed to Stay Apart
TMZ reported that Howard and Luciani later reached an agreement not to come within 100 yards of each other and not to harass each other on social media.
The outlet reported that Howard was awarded sole use of his Georgia mansion and agreed to pay Luciani $10,000 to help her move.
The agreement followed earlier protective-order activity in the divorce. In April, Us Weekly reported that a judge had signed off on a protective order requiring Luciani to stay 100 yards away from Howard, his Georgia mansion and his children’s private school. Luciani told the outlet at the time that Howard’s claims were false.
Howard later dropped a restraining order against Luciani as part of a step toward resolving the divorce, his attorney told People in April. Attorney Gillian B. Fierer told the outlet that dismissing the protective order in exchange for an order in the divorce case was “the first step” toward an amicable resolution.
The Divorce Followed Police Calls at Howard’s Georgia Home
Howard and Luciani married on Jan. 11, 2025. TMZ reported that Howard filed for divorce on March 9, 2026, calling the marriage “irretrievably broken.” The outlet reported later that day that Luciani also moved to file for divorce.
People reported that Howard called Gwinnett County Police on March 7 and alleged that Luciani took jewelry, his wedding ring, phones, money and personal items from his car. According to People, Howard alleged that close to $20,000 was taken.
People also reported that authorities had been called to Howard’s Suwanee, Georgia, home three separate times from March 5 to March 7 for what police described as a suicide threat, a domestic incident and a theft report.
TMZ previously published body-camera footage from one of the police visits, reporting that the March 6 encounter showed Luciani outside the front gate of Howard’s estate and Howard later speaking with officers about tension inside the home. In a separate March report, TMZ said Luciani claimed Howard canceled a television project they were set to do together, while sources close to Howard disputed her account.
Howard Announced His Basketball Retirement During the Split
The divorce dispute unfolded during a major career moment for Howard. In March, People reported that the eight-time NBA All-Star announced he was officially retiring from basketball, writing on social media that he was stepping away from the game “to pour into my family.”
Howard played 18 NBA seasons, won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025, according to People.