Fisher won't play tonight; return to lineup uncertain

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jazz guard Derek Fisher is "still extremely sore" after bruising his pelvis in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason win at Indiana, a Jazz spokesperson said Sunday.

Fisher's pain "has decreased," but he definitely will not play in Utah's exhibition visit with Detroit tonight, Jazz publicist Cindy Edman said.

Beyond his absence tonight, however, the Jazz have no timetable for Fisher's anticipated return. According to Edman, he will be re-evaluated Tuesday, after returning with the team to Utah.

Fisher was hurt when he fell hard to the floor at Conseco Fieldhouse, the aftermath of a collision in the lane with Pacers big man Jermaine O'Neal.

Also not playing tonight is forward Andrei Kirilenko, who will miss his second straight preseason game due to a sore back. Kirilenko increased his activity Sunday, but did not take part in the entire practice, Edman said.

KIRILENKO GLUM: His bad back has the usually cheery Kirilenko feeling quite glum lately. Still, the Jazz's forward from Russia hopes he'll be good to go in a few days — and that he'll be ready for Utah's Nov. 1 regular-season opener vs. Houston.

Even that effort at optimism, however, comes laced with this depressing but reality-based expectation: At some point this season, Kirilenko figures he is bound to miss some games because of the back.

"I think (the pain) will probably get back during the season, like for a week," he said.

Kirilenko's prediction is based on past experience with the grind of an 82-game NBA season, including a 2005-06 campaign in which he missed six games with back spasms.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan hopes that's not the case — but says he is not rushing Kirilenko to return, no matter how much his absence is adversely affecting preparation for the season.

"Whenever he's ready to play," Sloan said. "I mean, that's his understanding with (Jazz trainer) Gary (Briggs). I don't get involved. I've never told a player he has to play."

BOOZER NOT ALONE: Following Saturday's win, Sloan blasted big man Carlos Boozer for his disappointing defensive efforts in Utah's first two exhibitions.

While Boozer was singled out, however, he is not the only one whose lackadaisical play on defense already has the Jazz coach at wit's end.