Utah Jazz: Harpring will miss next four games

PORTLAND, Ore. — Usual backup small forward Matt Harpring will miss at least the Jazz's next four preseason games.

Harpring did not travel with the team to Portland for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, and — according to a team spokesman — will not accompany the club on a three-game trip later in the week that includes one outing at Denver and two against Chicago.

That leaves just one exhibition before the regular season in which Harpring, who continues to rehab his surgically repaired and subsequently infected right ankle, could possibly play.

The veteran forward, however, has no timetable for his return.

All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer, meanwhile, will play Sunday, the team said.

Boozer missed the Jazz's first two preseason games with soreness in his strained left hamstring, but he practiced Friday and took part in this morning's shootaround.

"It feels great," Boozer said prior to the shootaround.

Probable for Sunday is rookie big man Kosta Koufos, who strained his left hamstring in the Jazz's preseason-opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers last Tuesday and did not play in Thursday's home loss to Phoenix.

Two other Jazz reserves, combo guard Ronnie Price and backup center Jarron Collins, are listed as "doubtful" for Sunday. Price bruised his lower right leg in the game against the Suns, and Collins has tendinitis/bursitis in his right elbow.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com