Okur's status tonight is considered a game-time decision as well. He practiced Thursday but did not feel well and called trainer Gary Briggs that night to say he wouldn't be able to practice Friday. He has played in 229 straight games, the fifth-longest active "iron-man" streak in the league, and has never missed a Jazz game.

Boozer on Friday told O'Connor that he still had some pain from the hairline fracture in the left fibula below the knee and had decided to skip the All-Star game because he wanted to at least be able to practice and play a game "at 100 percent" for the Jazz first and didn't think he'd be ready to play in the home games tonight, Monday and Wednesday.

O'Connor had expressed similar wishes earlier this week and was happy that the player put the team first.

"We were on the same page, but he just wanted to wait as long as possible, and I can't blame him," O'Connor said. "I think he really wanted to play."

Boozer will still go to the All-Star game and get all the accolades that go with his selection by the league's coaches.

"Because I get to be honored," said Boozer through Jazz spokeswoman Cindy Edman, "with all the All-Stars, I decided to focus on being healthy for my team as we push toward the playoffs."

No star power

With Carlos Boozer unable to play due to injury, the Utah Jazz (32-17), who have the fourth-best record in the league, will not have a representative in the All-Star game. Below is a look at the representation by team:

                                                                                                                    Team (Record)		All-Stars
                                                                                                                    Dallas (41-9)		2 (Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard)
                                                                                                                    Phoenix (39-11)		3 (Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire)
                                                                                                                    San Antonio (33-17)	2 (Tim Duncan, Tony Parker)
                                                                                                                    Houston (31-18)		1 (Tracy McGrady)
                                                                                                                    L.A. Lakers (30-21)	1 (Kobe Bryant)
                                                                                                                    Denver (24-24)		2 (Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony)
                                                                                                                    Minnesota (23-27)	1 (Kevin Garnett)
                                                                                                                    

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E-mail: lham@desnews.com