Paul Coro

The Republic | azcentral.com

SALT LAKE CITY – Each time it looked like Suns guard Devin Booker might cross paths with Kobe Bryant, the rookie and his childhood idol have missed each other.

Bryant has not played for the Lakers in the teams’ previous two meetings and is again questionable to play Thursday night, when Booker and Bryant could be opposing starting shooting guards.

Booker was a part of All-Star weekend as a Rising Stars Challenge and 3-Point Contest participant but never met Bryant.

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“He’s affected my life a lot,” Booker said of Bryant. “Just his whole mind-set to the game. Ever since I’ve been a little kid shooting in the backyard, yelling ‘Kobe!’ when I shoot. It’s just amazing that I’m going to get the chance to play against him.”

Booker might get two chances to face Bryant over six days with Bryant slated to visit Phoenix on Thursday.

Bryant has missed the past two games with a sore right shoulder. Lakers coach Byron Scott told Los Angeles reporters on Thursday that Bryant has a 50-50 chance of playing against Phoenix on Friday.

“I really hope he plays,” Booker said. “I’m looking forward to that.”

Friday’s game

Suns at Lakers

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7).

Lakers update: Los Angeles (14-54) is playing its eight consecutive home game, going 2-5 in the previous ones over two weeks. The Lakers had won three of five games, including a win against Golden State, before losing its past three games at home. The Lakers are the NBA’s worst shooting team (41.8 percent) and allow the second highest opponent shooting percentage (47.2). Kobe Bryant remains the team’s leading scorer with 16.8 points per game but is shooting 35.6 percent from the field. Rookie guard D’Angelo Russell, the draft’s No. 2 overall pick, is averaging 20.4 points and 4.3 assists over his past 10 games.

Williams to stay

The NBA dream continues for Alan Williams, the Phoenician who joined his childhood Suns team on March 8.

Williams will sign a contract Friday for the remainder of the Suns season with a 2016-17 team option. Williams will play for the Suns' Summer League team.

“I’ve had a great time with these guys and learned a lot about my teammates, coaches, the organization and also about the NBA and what the life is like,” said Williams, who was the Chinese Basketball Association’s leading rebounder before joining the Suns. “The culture is extremely different than anything I’ve experienced before. You’ve got a group of guys who are professionals. Everything is punctual. Everything is professional. Everything is hard work. It’s good to see that and be a part of it.”

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Williams had not made an appearance with the Suns until he played the final two minutes and scored a point Thursday night, but the Phoenix North High graduate still revels each time he sees his name on the jersey or goes to work at the arena where he once was a fan.

“This is crazy,” Williams said. “Seeing ‘Williams’ on the Suns gear every day, it’s a blessing.”

Free throws

Suns guard Brandon Knight on playing while he does not feel fully healthy after a seven-week absence for a sports hernia: ““I’m going to give all I can, whatever I do have. I think that’s better than most. As long as I’m helping my team win and I’m not taking away from how we’re playing, I’m all for that.”

Watson said Knight appeared tentative in Monday’s 3-for-18 shooting game against Minnesota. “Eventually, he’ll get his rhythm and game legs and he’ll got out there and knock those shots down,” Watson said.

Utah swingman Gordon Hayward missed Thursday’s game for right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Suns are 3-9 this season in the second games of back-to-back sets, like Friday night’s game at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Suns swingman Chase Budinger on his Arizona Wildcats’ NCAA tournament draw: “Arizona’s got a tough route. I think they got kind of screwed in the seedings.”

Reach Paul Coro atpaul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him at www.twitter.com/paulcoro.