SEATTLE (AP) SuperSonics forward Rashard Lewis strained his left shoulder but is expected to play Tuesday night at Phoenix.

Lewis was injured in Sunday's win over Milwaukee. He didn't practice Monday after scoring 10 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes, then missing most of the second half against the Bucks.

There was some soreness Monday but doctors told Lewis there's little reason for concern.

``They said as long as it hasn't slipped out of place, it should be fine,'' Lewis said. ``If it comes all the way out, that's when we have to be worried. It's just kind of moving around right now.''

Lewis, who is averaging 19.8 points and scored 50 in a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers this season, has been bothered by a sore left shoulder during his six NBA seasons.

He didn't need surgery when the shoulder flared up during the preseason in 2002. The previous spring, however, he was forced out of Seattle's playoff series against San Antonio when he partially dislocated it.

Team officials didn't know if the injury will heal on its own or whether surgery might be needed eventually.

``I'm always concerned,'' general manager Rick Sund said. ``He's always been working to strengthen the ligaments. He doesn't want to have surgery.''

Lewis said the shoulder ``slipped'' during a game last week in New Jersey but ``it went away two minutes later.'' The soreness returned early in the third quarter Sunday against the Bucks, though Lewis felt he could have returned.