Dwight Howard left Friday's game against the Suns in the First quarter with an apparent right ankle injury, play-by-play announcer Craig Ackerman reports.

Howard left Friday's game against the Suns in the first quarter with a right ankle sprain and will not return, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis:

Howard will miss the remainder of Friday's contest against the Suns due to the ankle injury, likely leading to extra minutes for Josh Smith and Joey Dorsey. Because it's just an ankle sprain, the injury shouldn't cost him an extended period of time, but the team should provide an update on his status at some point prior to Sunday's game against the Lakers.