Utah Jazz notes: Deron Williams has to play through the pain

It's little wonder point guard Deron Williams missed six of his 11 shots from the field Saturday night.

The pain in his right shooting hand was almost unbearable.

"It was hurting the whole game," said Williams, who had the hand wrapped in ice following the Jazz's 115-101 win over Seattle. "I couldn't really follow through and put much pressure on it."

There is good news, according to Williams. "It's just a bruise," he said. "I X-rayed it (at halftime). It was negative, so that's the most important thing."

Williams said he hurt the hand early on, but he wasn't sure how.

"I don't know," he said. "That first quarter I hit it on someone's leg or something."

Unable to score at his usual 19.4 points-per-game pace, Williams wound up dishing 14 assists — more than three better than his average of 10.4.

PARTY ON: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan didn't seem to have much problem with the fact Williams was hosting a rap party, featuring hip hop artist Lil' Jon, after Saturday's game.

Tickets to the bash — billed as a celebration of teammates C.J. Miles' and Ronnie Brewer's birthdays last week — cost $25 on-line.

"I don't follow them around where they go," Sloan said. "That's part of this business. They've got lives to live like everybody else, and I don't follow them. I hope they recognize what's important to them — being able to play well — and that's all I can ask.

"Maybe some guys have a routine that maybe they include a drink or two," he added. "I can't follow that around night in and night out. All I expect them to do is try to play, and respect what we're trying to do here. That's all I've ever done."

HE SAID IT: Sloan, who turns 66 later this month, was asked if he had charged admission to one of his birthdays: "I don't know who would want to be involved in any of my birthday parties. They're pretty boring."

MISC.: Sonics point guard Earl Watson exited early with a bruised right calf ... Seattle's other injured absentees included would-be started Chris Wilcox (sprained right pinkie finger) ... The Jazz haven't lost consecutive home games all season ... Williams had double-doubles in all four games against the Sonics this season ... The Jazz swept their season series with Seattle for the first time since 2001.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com