Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is expected to play in Saturday’s game against Utah. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

SALT LAKE CITY — The confident words coming out of Kobe Bryant’s mouth left Lakers coach Byron Scott optimistic Bryant will play when the Lakers (9-32) visit the Utah Jazz (17-22) on Saturday at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

After nursing soreness in his right Achilles tendon and right shoulder for the past week, Bryant told Scott on Saturday morning that he “felt pretty good.”

The Lakers technically have listed Bryant’s status as questionable after posting eight points on three on 4-of-15 shooting, six rebounds and three assists in Thursday’s loss to Golden State. But Scott said “unless he says something this afternoon that it’s sore or worse the other day, the Lakers coach had trouble envisioning Bryant missing what would be his second-to-last game in Utah. The Lakers also play here March 28th on the second night of a back-to-back.

“You have to take that with a grain of salt,” Scott said following morning shootaround. “You know how tough he is. Things to him that feel pretty good would keep most guys out of games.”

Meanwhile, the Lakers have ruled forward Brandon Bass out for tonight’s game against Utah because of a sore right foot. He also missed Thursday’s loss in Golden State.

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