"After two days of practice, Chuck Hayes is ready to play.

Hayes said he'd like to play tonight in Utah after experiencing no pain in his left shoulder, which he dislocated Jan. 5.

Kings head coach Keith Smart said Hayes would return if he gets the approval of the team medical staff.

"Once the doctors tell me – and our trainer tells me – he's cleared to go, then I'll work him into the lineup," Smart said.

Hayes has missed the past 11 games after suffering the injury when he collided with Milwaukee's Drew Gooden.

He said his shoulder has been "pulled a little bit, bumped into a little bit" in practice with no problems.

The toughest thing for Hayes is playing with a shoulder brace, which provides support but restricts his range of motion.

"It's like a straitjacket," he explained. "It's squeezing me all around my chest, rib cage and shoulder. It's more about the brace. I've got to get over that and just play.""