Worthy Expected to Play for Lakers Against Rockets in Houston Today

James Worthy is expected to be back in the lineup this afternoon when the Lakers begin their last trip of the regular season with a game against the Rockets, but Coach Pat Riley said he intends to rest the sore-kneed forward later on this four-game swing.

“James will probably play Sunday,” Riley said, “Then we’ll see how he is. He’s just tired, and he’s hurting. He needs the rest. If he plays Tuesday (against San Antonio), he won’t play back-to-back (in Dallas Wednesday).

“Don’t hold me to that, but he needs it.”

Worthy, who has chronic patellar tendinitis in his left knee, has missed six games because of the condition. But his absence Friday night was his first since he missed the Clipper game Dec. 19.

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar both had big games in his absence. Johnson had 31 points, his first 30-plus game since Jan. 24, and Abdul-Jabbar, who turned 41 Saturday, had 22, his highest-scoring game since his 24 against the Knicks Jan. 22. Michael Cooper also emerged from his shooting slump, making three three-pointers.

“Finally, I’m coming around,” said Cooper, who will be 32 next Friday. “When I look over (in the stands), Wanda (his wife) is looking again. She’s smiling. She’s not like she’s ready to kill me.”

A measure of the Lakers’ offensive efficiency Friday: They had 39 assists on 45 baskets in their 117-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns at the Forum.

The Rockets have been blown out by the Lakers four times this season. They also lost a 20-point third-quarter lead Friday night and were beaten by the Nuggets, 132-125, in Denver. They are in fifth place in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games ahead of Utah.