NBA: Dwight Howard cleared to play following shoulder scare

The Los Angeles Lakers caught a big break, after doctors announced that Dwight Howard had not sustained further damage to his shoulder, following Wednesday's (Thursday, PHL time) early-exit against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Dwight Howard has been cleared to play after tests showed no further damage to his right shoulder.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 25, 2013

Howard had his shoulder examined today by shoulder specialist Dr. James Tibone, who determined there was no further damage.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 25, 2013

Howard aggravated the shoulder in last night's 1st half at Memphis, and missed the 2nd half. But he's cleared to start tomorrow night.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 25, 2013

Mike Trudell of Lakers.com reported on Twitter that Howard was cleared by shoulder specialist Dr James Tibone, meaning he will be available Friday (Saturday, PHL time), when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz. [Related: Grizzlies rip Lakers as Howard exits early with shoulder injury] Howard left with 2:21 remaining in the first half, after being asked to be subbed out. He would later not return to the game, as the Lakers got blown out by the Grizzlies 106-93 for their fourth straight loss. In 14 minutes, he had accumulated just two points and two rebounds, along with a steal and a block, going 0-of-4 from the field, 2-of-4 from the foul line. The moribund Lakers are 17-25, 12th in the Western Conference, and four games back of the current eighth seed, the Portland Trailblazers (21-21). After the Jazz, LA will close out the month of January against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Hornets, before taking to the road to play the Phoenix Suns. - AMD, GMA News