Pau Gasol still not cleared to play

Pau Gasol still hasn’t been cleared for basketball activity. The Lakers forward-center has been out with a concussion since taking a JaVale McGee arm to the nose on Jan. 6 during a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Gasol will be reevaluated before the Lakers battle the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at Staples Center.

Assuming Gasol is sidelined, Coach Mike D’Antoni will continue to go with Earl Clark, who suddenly becomes even more important to the team with Jordan Hill lost for the season because of a hip injury.

D’Antoni noted that Clark has earned a spot in the rotation, even after Gasol is back in action.

Dwight Howard will also have his injured shoulder evaluated on Sunday. He sustained the injury against the Clippers on Jan. 4 and aggravated the injury two days later against the Nuggets.

There’s a small chance that Howard will play against the Cavaliers if healthy, although that might be a longshot.

Rookie Robert Sacre is the likely starter at center Sunday night.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.