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No Comments [ Add Comment ]More woes for Jazz's wounded
By JIM BURTONKirilenko, Boozermay stay on bench
SALT LAKE CITY -- When Deron Williams returned from that bothersome left ankle injury last week, Jazz fans may have felt their team's injury problems were fading away.
In the NBA, there's a word for that kind of thinking: Wrong.
Turns out, Utah's injury issues aren't even close to being resolved.
In fact, they seem to be getting worse.
Williams practiced Monday morning at the Zions Bank Basketball Center, but five other teammates did not.
Andrei Kirilenko (ankle), Carlos Boozer (quadriceps), Matt Harpring (back) and Jarron Collins (elbow) all missed practice, while backup point guard Ronnie Price was given permission to leave the team in order to attend the funeral of a relative.
Coach Jerry Sloan has insisted he won't dwell on injuries or absences, because they're a key part of the game.
"That's OK," he said. "That's just part of the business. I've got other guys who get paid. We'll see what we've got."
At this point, the Jazz aren't completely sure who'll be available when they visit the Sacramento Kings tonight.
Boozer and Kirilenko will make the trip, but have been listed as doubtful for the game.
Collins and Harpring are out; Price will meet the team in Sacramento and is expected to play.
Point guard Brevin Knight (finger) practiced Monday will be a game-time decision, a team spokesman said.
"I'll just take whatever's there," Sloan said. "I don't anticipate one way or another because I've got to prepare for who's not there and fill those holes in my mind when I'm trying to coach."
Harpring's situation took a significant turn on Monday.
The veteran small forward underwent an MRI that showed a degeneration of the L5-S1 disc in his spine. It also revealed a slight bulging disc.
Harpring won't make the trip to Sacramento and has been listed as doubtful for Wednesday's home game with the Miami Heat.
The 32-year-old has played in only seven games this season. He underwent ankle surgery during the off-season and subsequently developed a strep infection, which caused him to miss training camp and the first seven games of the season.
He returned briefly, but tweaked his back during pre-game warmups on Nov. 24.
The Jazz had just 10 players available for practice on Monday, which meant Sloan was limited in what he could do with the team.
Williams said he will play in tonight's game as well as Wednesday's.
"It's getting stronger, it feels good today," he said. "I think a lot of it for me is mental. I've got to get over the mental factor."
He has attempted to be cautious in returning from the left ankle inversion sprain, but said he feels he simply needs to play.
He said the team's currently injury situation has little to do with his decision to play back-to-back sets.
"I think I'd still play," he said.
The Jazz beat the Kings 120-94 last week at EnergySolutions Arena, highlighting the blowout with a 44-point third quarter.
Williams said he expects the Kings to be looking for revenge tonight.
"Any time you beat a team like that they're going to want revenge," he said.
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