Utah Jazz: Boozer eyeing Thursday return to lineup

Not to jinx the Jazz, but their list of walking wounded continues to shrink.

You might not want to let the injury gods read or hear about that, though.

Utah won't be at full strength for Jerry Sloan's 20th anniversary game as Jazz head coach Tuesday night at Minnesota, but the team could have its major pieces all in place by the end of the week.

While pedaling away on a stationary bicycle prior to practice, All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer said he's "feeling a lot better" and added that he will test out his strained quad and bruised kneecap today to "see how it feels."

And his projected return?

"Probably not tomorrow, but I'm hoping for Thursday maybe," he said, speaking of Utah's TNT home game vs. Portland. "Or if not that, then the next game after that."

The Jazz return home from the Timberwolves' game to face Portland on national TV on Thursday night. Utah then hosts Orlando on Saturday before departing for a five-game pre-Christmas Eastern road trip.

Boozer will travel to Minnesota, though he'll officially be listed as "doubtful."

"I'm going to go there so I can be with the fellows and be with my team," he said.

As for the other players on the injury report, backup big man Jarron Collins (inflamed right elbow) is the only player who is officially "out."

Reserve point guard Brevin Knight flew back to Utah on Sunday. He stayed overnight in a Phoenix hospital for observation of his swollen throat that was elbowed in the Jazz's loss to the Suns on Saturday.

Knight shot around and participated in light practice and will be a game-time decision Tuesday, a team spokesman said.

Second-year center Kyrylo Fesenko also practiced with the team today and has been cleared to play after suffering a lower back strain during warm-ups last week.

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