Utah Jazz: Flu-like symptoms sideline Sloan

Jerry Sloan hasn't missed many games during his 21 seasons as head coach of the Jazz.

But he did sit out No. 15 Saturday night, this time because he was ill with what the Jazz said were flu-like symptoms.

"You just have to go on," said longtime lead assistant Phil Johnson, who filled in against the Los Angeles Clippers — just like he has every other time Sloan has been absent. "He's obviously a big part of what we do, but you just have to move on."

Because Sloan's absence is only temporary, the Jazz's 101-79 win over the Clippers goes on his personal record — and counts as No. 997 for him as head coach of the Jazz.

"I told somebody, 'I've been to more of his games than he has,'" said Johnson, who has never missed a game. "So, I'd like for him to show up. This is not my job. ... Either that, or he can give me part of his salary. I think we can go for that."

Johnson is now 9-6 filling in for Sloan, who also missed one game two seasons ago due to the stomach flu; three games early in 2004 while tending to his late wife Bobbeye, who later that year lost her battle with pancreatic cancer; seven games in the 2002-03 season due to a NBA-imposed suspension stemming from his run-in with referee Courtney Kirkland; two games in March of 1999 following knee surgery; and one in 1993 because of a league-imposed suspension.

"I hope he gets better," Johnson said. "That's the main thing. It's nothing special, what I did."

No word on whether Sloan will make the trip to Los Angeles today for Monday's rematch with the Clippers.

KORVER PLAYS: Jazz backup shooting guard Kyle Korver played Saturday, despite missing practices both Thursday and Friday.

Korver sprained his shooting wrist in last Wednesday's season-opening win over Denver. He took a cortisone shot in the wrist Friday.

"It's pretty sore," he said after Saturday's morning shootaround. "But it feels a lot better every day, and it feels better after that shot."

Korver, acquired last season from Philadelphia, said he hurt the wrist when he fell back on it while trying to take a charge in Wednesday's first half.

But it's not the first time he's had problems with the joint.

Korver also missed six games because the wrist was sprained in April of 2007, when he was still with the 76ers.

He scored four points in 19 minutes Saturday.