Lakers’ Dwight Howard to sit out Friday’s game against Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — Lakers center Dwight Howard will not play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves after leaving Wednesday’s game against Phoenix because of a sore shoulder.

In the last month, Howard had missed three games and left two others early because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

He aggravated the injury Wednesday after having his shot blocked by Suns guard Shannon Brown with 6:56 to play. The Lakers led at the time, 78-73, but ended up losing to Phoenix, 92-86.

Howard is officially listed as day-to-day. He did not take part in the team’s shoot-around Friday morning.

Pau Gasol will take Howard’s place in the starting lineup against Minnesota.

The Lakers (20-26) have won the last 19 games they’ve played against the Timberwolves (17-25), who are 2-11 since losing Kevin Love because of hand surgery.

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