SALT LAKE CITY -- Andrei Kirilenko is back with his Utah Jazz teammates and apparently he brought a little extra motivation to the reunion party.
Kirilenko scored 18 points and notched six rebounds in 26 minutes of action as the Jazz beat the Charlotte Bobcats in a preseason game Sunday at Staples Center.
The 6-foot-9 Russian forward did so after a brief leave of absence in which he and his wife, Masha, traveled to their native country to adopt a 2-month-old baby girl, Alexandra.
The Kirilenkos left to Russia last Wednesday. Andrei missed a home victory over the Portland Trail Blazers and a loss to the L.A. Clippers on Saturday.
He joined his teammates in L.A. for Sunday's game and immediately stepped in to action.
"Everybody thought he was going to be dead out there," Jazz point guard Deron Williams told reporters Sunday. "He came out (and) got into a good rhythm and played very good."
Kirilenko became Utah's sixth man last season and seemed to flourish coming off the bench.
However, with wings C.J. Miles and Kyle Korver nursing injuries, Kirilenko was moved into the starting lineup.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he didn't expect to see Kirilenko play with such energy, not after a whirlwind few days.
"I was surprised at Andrei's activity," Sloan said. "He had a long last two or three days, and I thought that's one of his better exhibition games."
Kirilenko thanked the Jazz for their flexibility in allowing he and Masha to leave so quickly.
The couple began looking into the adoption process a few years ago, shortly after their second son was born.
They first met Alexandra -- Sasha to her new family -- a month ago.
Kirilenko said the process was strenuous.
"For half-a-year we've been on the phone, we've been in a state of ready-to-go," Kirilenko he said.
Kirilenko said he had never been in a courtroom before, but he and his wife appeared before a judge for 15 minutes to finalize the adoption, which included the submission of medical records and meetings with psychologists.
Kirilenko traveled with the team to Portland, where the Jazz will play another preseason contest with the Trail Blazers tonight.
After that, they'll travel back to California to face the Sacramento Kings Friday night at Arco Arena.
Utah opens regular season play Oct. 28 at Denver. Its home opener is set for Oct. 30 against the Clippers.
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