Utah Jazz notes: AK day-to-day after hip sprain

Results of an MRI exam performed Tuesday on Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko are expected to be made public today.

The Jazz on Tuesday practiced without their starting small forward, who hurt his right hip early in Monday night's win over Dallas.

Kirilenko was re-examined Tuesday 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 to undergo the MRI.

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

Nowitzki, called for a flagrant foul on the play, 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; 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 home win.

If Kirilenko can't play tonight against the Timberwolves, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said, reserve swingman C.J. Miles likely will start in his place.

The sporadically used Miles has started at small forward each of the five times Kirilenko has been absent this season, allowing backup Matt Harpring to retain his usual reserve role.

Miles hadn't played in four of Utah's five games prior to Monday, and his 15 minutes against the Mavs marked the most he's played since a Feb. 9 game vs. Chicago.

Kirilenko is averaging 32 minutes, 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 blocks in 56 games. He was at the Jazz's practice facility Tuesday, but wasn't made available to reporters.