Utah Jazz: Williams' ankle is not quite ready

Deron Williams wanted to play in the Jazz's 2008-09 NBA regular-season opener Wednesday night, but did not.

Now, Utah's usual starting point guard has a new target date for returning from the second-degree inversion sprain to his left ankle that he sustained during an Oct. 18 preseason game at Chicago.

It's next Wednesday night, when the Jazz play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at EnergySolutiuons Arena.

"I'd like to get back as soon as possible," Williams, who sat on the Jazz bench in street clothes while watching Utah's 98-94 win over Denver, said after Wednesday's morning shootaround. "But the Portland game probably looks the most ... feasible."

The Jazz have two more games between now and then, Saturday at home vs. the Los Angeles Clippers and Monday in L.A. against the Clippers.

Williams practiced Tuesday and hoped to be ready for Wednesday's opener, but realized he simply wasn't ready.

"I got through the whole practice pretty well," he said. "But, at the same time, I wasn't trying anything. I wasn't really going to the hole, exploding or anything like that. Then, afterwards, I kind of aggravated it a little bit."

The member of Team USA's gold medal-winning 2008 Summer Olympics team said he can make some moves, but not others — especially spinning and pivoting.

"I had no problem going side-to-side, or going forward, backpeddling," he said. "We scrimmaged a little bit, and I was fine. It's mostly the explosion — if I step back on that left foot, and have to push off it. You know, I still can't dunk off it. I mean, it's not fully healed yet.

"I'm gonna play with pain, probably, when I come back anyway," Williams added. "I've just got to wait until I'm as close to 100 percent as possible, so that I can push off."

Williams is receiving treatment from the Jazz medical staff once a day — down from twice daily — and keeps the ankle wrapped and iced to minimize swelling.

His disappointment was evident Wednesday.

"I don't like missing games at all," Williams said. "I don't like missing practices for that matter, but that's how it is."

With Williams out Wednesday, Utah Valley State product Ronnie Price started at the point and offseason acquisition Brevin Knight backed him up.