Utah Jazz: Kirilenko, Brewer on the mend

The Jazz didn't practice Tuesday, but starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko and starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer both were treated for injuries.

Kirilenko, who has missed Utah's last two games with a bruised right calf, also took part in shooting drills with special assistant Jeff Hornacek.

The Jazz are calling him a "game-time decision" for tonight's game against Minnesota, but Kirilenko said Monday that he thought he'd be able to return.

Brewer missed Monday's win over Washington because of a strained right groin sustained in Sunday's loss at Minnesota.

He's "questionable" for tonight, a Jazz spokesman said.

SMASHMOUTH: After Sunday's game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that ex-Jazz swingman Kirk Snyder of the Timberwolves — smiling to show off his fresh bloody lip — said this about longtime Jazz small forward Matt Harpring: "I have a history of getting bloody lips from him. Every time we play, he thinks he has to hit me in the mouth. I don't even worry about it anymore, because I know I'm going to get one. I had to get stitches after one practice with him. He's a physical specimen, kind of like myself ..."

Responded Harpring: "Honestly, you know me, it's nothing I do on purpose. I didn't even know I did it. I had no idea."

SLOAN HONORED: The NBA on Tuesday named Jazz coach Jerry Sloan its Western Conference Coach of the Month for March, the league announced.

It's the ninth such accolade for Sloan, who last was named Coach of the Month in November 2006 — but never has won official NBA Coach of the Year honors.

The Northwest Division-leading Jazz went 12-4 in March, including Monday's 129-87 win over the Wizards. That includes five victories over teams holding playoff-qualifying positions as of Tuesday.

Boston's Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month after leading the Celtics to a 13-3 record in March.

PAUL TOPS WILLIAMS: Chris Paul of New Orleans earned NBA Western Conference Player of the Month honors for March, beating a field of nominees that included Jazz point guard Deron Williams, and Atlanta's Joe Johnson was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

Paul averaged 24 points, 13.3 assists and 2.67 steals per game while leading the Hornets to an 11-4 record during the month.