March 18--Kobe Bryant is expected to play tonight against Phoenix, Lakers Coach Byron Scott said after the team's morning shoot-around.
Bryant sat out Tuesday's game against Sacramento, leaving him with 14 to go before he retires.
"I talked to him a little bit this morning. He says he feels a lot better," Scott said, adding that it was "75-25" Bryant would play.
Bryant, 37, has complained of a sore right shoulder, the same one in which he sustained a season-ending torn rotator cuff last year.
The Lakers (14-54) have the NBA's second-worst record and are four games ahead of the Suns in the standings. The teams play each other again Wednesday.
If the Lakers finish second from the bottom, they have a 55.8% chance of keeping their top-three protected pick on lottery night. If Phoenix falls below them in the standings, the Lakers' chances of keeping the pick fall to 46.9%.
