Howard's shoulder OK, will play tonight

Dwight Howard has been cleared to play for the Lakers on Friday after it was feared he aggravated his shoulder injury in the team's last game against the Grizzlies. Doctors confirmed there was no further damage to the shoulder.

Howard missed time earlier this month with a torn labrum in his right shoulder and was removed from Wednesday's loss to Memphis as a precaution.

"I still feel it. It's still aggravated. It's something that I'm going to have to learn how to cope with," Howard said. "The biggest thing is just getting it stronger so it won't continue to bother me."

The All-Star centre is averaging 16.7 points, 12 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 39 games played for the struggling Lakers, who sit 12th in the Western Conference at 17-25.