Utah Jazz notes: Boozer 'doubtful' for Spurs game after quad strain

Though it wasn't revealed if he received presents, a cake or a surprise party, Carlos Boozer did get something for his 27th birthday.

Magnetic resonance imaging tests for his injured left leg.

Just a guess, but that's probably not what he asked for.

The results could've been worse, though. Thursday's MRI confirmed that the All-Star power forward strained his left quadriceps tendon late in the Jazz's 105-94 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday night, adding another player to Utah's ever-expanding medical chart.

Boozer traveled to San Antonio for tonight's game, but he is considered "doubtful" to see any playing time against the Spurs or at Memphis on Saturday. He didn't practice with the team Thursday.

Jazz guards Deron Williams (sprained ankle), Brevin Knight (strained groin) and Kyle Korver (inflamed right wrist) will also be game-time decisions tonight, while backup big man Jarron Collins (inflamed right elbow) is listed as "out" for the game by the team.

On a bright note for Utah, starting center Mehmet Okur (lower back strain) and reserve forward Matt Harpring (ankle rehab) will play.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was still trying to figure out just how to deal with the potential loss of another star player when asked at practice Thursday. Boozer, who dealt with a sore left hamstring in the preseason, leads the Jazz in scoring (20.5 ppg), rebounding (11.7 rpg) and overall minutes played (405). He didn't return against the Bucks after leaving the game with 3:55 remaining in the come-from-behind win.

Sloan will consider reinserting Andrei Kirilenko into the starting lineup after only using the versatile forward as the sixth man off the bench so far this season.

If he's rattled by the slew of injuries, Sloan isn't showing it.

"We're still going to play," Sloan said. "It's just the way it is. It's not something that you can do anything about. There isn't anybody out there that wants to be hurt. They just have to try to take care of themselves and get healthy, that's all."

San Antonio is dealing with its own physical issues. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker both have left ankle injuries and aren't expected to play tonight, either.

"A lot of teams have got injuries. It's another thing. It's life," said Jazz backup power forward Paul Millsap, who figures to see extended action in Boozer's absence. "It's part of the game. We've just got to get out there and compete, play as a team (with) whoever we've got."