Utah Jazz: Injured Kirilenko listed day-to-day

The Jazz on Tuesday practiced without starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko, who sprained his right hip in the opening quarter of Monday night's win over Dallas.

Kirilenko was reexamined this morning, and afterward the Jazz said they still believe the extent of the injury is the same as was diagnosed Monday — a sprain that will have the forward from Russia out on a day-to-day basis.

For precautionary reasons, however, Kirilenko was scheduled for an MRI exam this afternoon.

Results of the test are not expected to be made public until sometime before the Jazz play Minnesota on Wednesday, team spokesman Jonathan Rinehart said prior to practice today.

Kirilenko was hurt when, after going up for a layup, he was pulled hard to the floor by reigning NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks.

Nowitzki, who was called for a flagrant foul on the play, later said he intended no harm.

Kirilenko underwent X-rays at EnergySolutions Arena, but they were inconclusive. He later was transported to Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful for further X-rays, and they were negative. The 2004 NBA All-Star returned to the arena before the conclusion of Monday's game, which marked Utah's 16th straight win at home.

If Kirilenko is not able to play Wednesday night vs. the Timberwolves, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said today, reserve swingman C.J. Miles probably will start in his place.

Miles has started at small forward every other time Kirilenko has been absent due to injury this season, allowing backup Matt Harpring to retain his usual off-the-bench role.

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