SAN ANTONIO — Point guard Deron Williams is eyeing Wednesday for a possible return from his sprained ankle, but power forward Carlos Boozer could wind up being out more than a week with the quadriceps strain he sustained in last Wednesday's win over Milwaukee.

Williams didn't play when the Jazz fell to San Antonio on the road Friday night, and won't play when they visit Memphis tonight.

But he is pointing toward next Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies at EnergySolutions Arena for a second comeback from the sprain, which he initially sustained in an Oct. 18 preseason game at Chicago.

"I think it will be good and strong by then," Williams said.

"I'm starting to get some of my strength back," he added. "A little less discomfort when I do spin moves and things like that."

When he does get back, though, Williams said he probably won't play in both ends of back-to-back sets.

Williams also said he was tempted to play Friday after learning Boozer would be out, but he ultimately nixed the idea.

"Yeah, but it ain't worth it," Williams said. "I already tried to come back one time when I shouldn't have."

Williams — who took part in Friday's morning shootaround — has played in two games this season, but hasn't appeared in the Jazz's last five.

Boozer, meanwhile, has not only a quad strain, but also a bruised kneecap.

"Considering what it could have been," he said, "I'm happy."

Boozer is wearing a removable cast around the knee because it hurts to bend it, and he's receiving multiple treatments daily.

Asked about a 10-day absence timeframe for others who have sustained similar injuries, Boozer responded, "That would be great. That or less would be great."

THE REST: The Jazz also played San Antonio without backup shooting guard Kyle Korver and reserve big man Jarron Collins.

Reserve point guard Brevin Knight, though, did return Friday from a groin strain that kept him out Wednesday. He said he'd be good to go tonight at Memphis.

Collins continues to be bothered by complications from his bruised right elbow, so rookie Kosta Koufos started at power forward Friday next to center Mehmet Okur.

"I think it's a great opportunity for a young kid to get a chance to play some, and realize what he's getting into in this business," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said of Koufos, who also has started four games at center this season — and wound up guarding both Spurs center Fabricio Oberto and All-Star power forward Tim Duncan on Friday.

Korver, meanwhile, reinjured his right shooting wrist Wednesday and had a brace on it Friday.

"I just fell on it again — fell backward, landed on it," he said. "It's definitely worse right now."

HE SAID IT: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on Sloan, the only current NBA coach who's been with the same team longer: "He's in a different league than I am, both as a player and as a coach."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com