Lakers' Howard out tonight, will undergo PRP therapy

Lakers centre Dwight Howard will miss tonight's game against the Timberwolves with a sore right shoulder and will fly back to Los Angeles for treatment on his ailing right shoulder.

Howard, who has already missed time this season with a torn labrum in the shoulder, aggravated the injury during Los Angeles' Wednesday night loss in Phoenix and will undergo platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. He is listed as day-to-day, but will rejoin the team in Detroit on Sunday.

The All-Star big man, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has averaged 16.5 points, 11.9 points and 2.4 blocks in 43 games with the disappointing Lakers this season, who have also been without Steve Nash and Pau Gasol for stretches of the year.

L.A. currently sits 20-26 in the Western Conference, four games back of the eighth and final playoff spot.