Jazz still uncertain about Boozer's return

An MRI showed Utah forward Carlos Boozer's broken leg is healing, but maybe not quickly enough for him to play in his first All-Star game, the Jazz said.

Kevin O'Connor, Jazz vice president for basketball operations, said Thursday that the fracture below Boozer's left knee is getting better. His status for the All-Star game Feb. 18 will be up to Boozer and the NBA, which named him as a Western Conference reserve last week.

Boozer was injured Jan. 27 in a game against the Hornets.

Boozer said last week that he was hoped he could still play in the All-Star game despite the injury.

Utah has three games before the All-Star break next week, and O'Connor said it was unlikely Boozer would be playing in any of them. But if he is cleared in time for the All-Star game and the NBA hasn't replaced Boozer on the roster, O'Connor said the Jazz wouldn't tell him to sit out the game.

"I think anybody would want to play in an All-Star game, especially their first one," O'Connor said. "It's an honor for the organization, for Carlos, but they (the NBA) have to determine all of that."