Utah Jazz notebook: After sitting out an entire game, Korver just wants some playing time

SALT LAKE CITY — Kyle Korver experienced something this week he hadn't since he was teammates with Allen Iverson and Derrick Coleman.

The Utah Jazz shooting guard ended up with a dreaded DNP-CD on the box score next to his name after Monday's game.

It had been a while — a long while — since a healthy, ready-to-go Korver recorded a Did Not Play-Coach's Decision as his only stat.

Korver didn't complain but, when asked about not playing, agreed it was a bit frustrating.

"It's my first one since my rookie year," Korver said.

That dates back to 2003-04 when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The consolation for Korver was having a front-row seat to a 104-92 Jazz victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

On Wednesday night, Korver admitted it felt good to be back in the rotation. He played 12 minutes as the Jazz stretched their winning streak to seven with a 118-105 pounding of Portland.

"I just want to be out there," Korver said.

Jerry Sloan wants him out there, too.

But the Jazz coach said Korver was simply the odd man out that rare night due to a combination of factors.

First, the Jazz have a boatload of available wing players — what Sloan said sometimes is a "luxury," others a "hindrance."

Second, the coach liked how swingmen such as C.J. Miles and Wesley Matthews matched up defensively against the Mavs.

"It's pretty tough to find time for all of those guys," Sloan said of his wings. "I'd like to play him 25 or 30 minutes."

But …

"Somebody has to end up sitting down at times," he added. "It's just the way it is. … Hardly ever is a player satisfied of not getting into a game, and I understand that. But there's only certain things we can do. That's the breaks of life."

Korver wants to play but realizes the predicament.

"We're winning games, and my knee's still getting better," he said. "If you don't play in a game, you have a harder workout the next day. So I'm just trying to get it stronger."