From Deseret News archives:
Harpring's left knee fine, but thigh gets bruised
The Jazz's veteran backup small forward indeed was hobbling in the final few seconds of Monday night's 97-91 win over the San Antonio Spurs, but it wasn't because of his surgically repaired left knee.
Same leg, different location.
"Just a thigh bruise," said Harpring, who was hurt in the game's final 10 seconds — but stayed in to attempt two free throws, both of which he missed. "I knew right away it was the thigh."
Harpring has had surgery on his left knee three times, and $4 million of his current contract is tied directly to the knee — and how many games he does or does not miss because of it.
HART UPDATE: Usual Jazz backup point guard Jason Hart missed a second straight game due to inflammation in his lower back.
Results of an MRI exam performed earlier Monday were not available Monday night, a Jazz spokesman said.
With Hart out, No. 3 point Ronnie Price again backed up starter Deron Williams.
BIZZARO: Bizarre statistic of the night Monday has to be that the Jazz shot 50 percent from the field against the Spurs — in each quarter.
OOPS: In a radio interview with KFNZ's "Hot Rod" Hundley, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan on Monday faulted himself for the defenses he called, including a zone, during a short stretch in the third quarter of Sunday's win over Houston — one in which the Rockets' Steve Novak scored a career-high 10 points.
TRADE TALK: According to the Akron Beacon Journal, which cited two unidentified "league sources," the Cleveland Cavaliers "have inquired" about ex-Jazz guard Kirk Snyder of the Houston Rockets, but "nothing appears imminent."
Snyder is not in the regular rotation in Houston, was inactive for Sunday's loss to the Jazz and has appeared in only nine games this season.
MISC.: Williams' double-double Monday was his 23rd of the season. ... After not playing (coach's decision) in Utah's previous two games, Jazz backup center Jarron Collins was back on the floor Monday. Collins played all 82 games last season; his last DNP-CD prior to this month came in March 2006. ... Ex-Jazz point guard and current San Antonio backup point Jacque Vaughn had six points in 15 minutes Monday. ... The Spurs on Monday recalled center Ian Mahinmi, who was leading Austin of the NBA Development League in field goal percentage at .644. Earlier this month, Mahinmi had a 32-point, 17-point rebound D-League game against the Jazz-affiliated Utah Flash. Mahinmi was not active Monday, however. ... Ex-Jazz guard Randy Livingston of the league-leading Idaho Stampede leads the D-League in assists per game at 11.3.
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com
