Pau Gasol expected to play tonight against Phoenix

PHOENIX -- Pau Gasol will play Monday night against the Phoenix Suns, Lakers’ Coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Gasol surprised the team by not playing Saturday against Golden State because of an upper respiratory tract infection.

He was coming off his best game of the season, a 21-point, 13-rebound, eight-assist effort against Minnesota. He did not talk to reporters after taking part in the team’s Friday morning shoot-around.

Gasol, 33, had been the only Lakers player to have started every game this season. He is averaging 15 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

He’s to be joined in Monday’s starting lineup by Xavier Henry, Jodie Meeks, Wesley Johnson and Shawne Williams.

Phoenix (16-10) beat the Lakers (13-14) two weeks ago at Staples Center, 114-108.

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