Mavericks' Ellis will play Friday despite illness

Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Monta Ellis will play Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers despite being under the weather, the team announced.

Ellis was questionable as he, along with Dirk Nowitzki, caught the flu, but both players will play.

Having both Ellis and Nowitzki healthy is a huge boon for the Mavericks, who face a short-handed Lakers squad without Kobe Bryant, who is resting for the third-consecutive game.

Ellis is averaging 20.9 points, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.