Injury-riddled Utah Jazz travel to San Antonio; Boozer 'doubtful'

The Utah Jazz will indeed travel to San Antonio for Friday night's game, that much is known.

Who exactly will play for the injury-riddled Jazz is another question.

Seven different Jazz players are dealing with various injuries — not counting run-of-the-mill nicks and dings — heading into the team's two-game road trip this weekend.

All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer's status remains up in the air. Boozer did not practice today — which happens to be his 27th birthday — and underwent MRI tests that confirmed he suffered a strain of the left quadriceps tendon, a team spokesman said. Boozer injured his leg and left the game with four minutes remaining in Utah's 105-94 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday night.

Boozer will travel with the team for the San Antonio-Memphis road swing, but he is being called "doubtful" to see any action.

Kyle Korver was also not planning on practicing today because of his inflamed right wrist. The backup shooting guard will travel with the team and will be a game-time decision Friday.

Point guards Deron Williams (sprained left ankle) and Brevin Knight (groin) both participated in practice today but will also be game-time decisions against the Spurs.

On the other hand, Jarron Collins (inflamed right elbow) did not practice with the team today and will not play in San Antonio.

On the bright side for the Jazz, center Mehmet Okur said he is improving after tweaking his lower back on a return flight from Turkey on Sunday. After starting against the Bucks — but only scoring one point with five rebounds in 20 minutes — he showed up to practice early this morning to work on his conditioning and shooting.

Matt Harpring (right ankle rehab) is also expected to play again.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he will consider reinserting forward Andrei Kirilenko back into the starting lineup Friday, depending on who else is available to play.

Sloan expects whoever can suit up to play hard on the road trip as the 8-4 Jazz try to get a rare win in San Antonio and improve their 2-4 road record. If he's rattled by all the injuries, he's not showing it.

"We're still going to play," Sloan said. "It's just the way it is. It's not something that you can do anything about. There isn't anybody out there that wants to be hurt. They just have to try to take care of themselves and get healthy, that's all."

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