MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins left Friday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a strained left shoulder.

Perkins was injured in the third quarter while going for a rebound on the defensive end. He went up for the ball, then came down and immediately grabbed his left shoulder and headed for the bench.

It was a big blow for the Celtics front line, which was already missing Kevin Garnett for the sixth straight game with an abdominal strain.

Perkins had one point and five rebounds and played strong defense on the low block on Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson. Perkins will be evaluated on Saturday.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.