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Kobe Bryant will play Sunday vs. Warriors

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

An illness will not keep Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors. 

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne said Bryant, who battled through Friday's game with a bout of sickness, will play the 9:30 p.m. ET clash at Staples Center. 

But it might not matter for Los Angeles. Despite Bryant averaging 25.4 points per game - good for the third-highest mark in the NBA - it hasn't been enough to help the Lakers (1-8) overcome their worst start in franchise history. Facing Golden State will be no easy task, either. 

The Warriors, off to a 7-2 start, are averaging 105.6 points per game, tied for the fourth-best mark in the NBA, while playing strong defense under first-year head coach Steve Kerr. 

Los Angeles, on the other hand, has been awful on the defensive end. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing more points per game than the Lakers' 109.4. 

Bryant was held to a season-low nine points on 1-of-14 shooting from the field in Friday's 93-80 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. 

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