CHICAGO — Andrei Kirilenko will play in tonight's game against the Chicago Bulls, the Jazz's starting small forward said following this morning's shootaround.

Kirilenko has missed the Jazz's past three games due to a strained right hip sustained in Utah's win over Dallas on March 3.

Kirilenko had said at Monday's practice that he hoped to return tonight, but he wasn't certain that he would until after taking part in the shootaround today.

"The shorter period of time you miss the better," Kirilenko said. "I don't feel any pain. I'm just kind of scared a little bit. ... But it's gonna go away."

Utah's game tonight against the Bulls is the first of four in five nights for the Jazz, who will also visit Milwaukee, Boston and New Jersey this week.

---

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com