Utah Jazz notes: Kirilenko still unsure on surgery

The Jazz still weren't sure Monday if sixth-man forward Andrei Kirilenko would soon need foot surgery, or if the operation can wait until after the season.

"I don't know where we go from here," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said early Monday night.

"In the next 24-to-48 hours," he added, "we'll make some decisions on what we're going to do."

O'Connor said the most-recent MRI performed on Kirilenko's right foot showed the same results as the last, and it's been forwarded by the Jazz's medical staff for a second opinion regarding treatment options.

Kirilenko has missed three straight games, and five since early December, due to irritation on a floating bone chip in the foot.

A cortisone shot in December helped, but another steroid injection last week did not — prompting, according to Kirilenko on Sunday, the possibility of in-season surgery and a 3-to-4 week absence.

If Kirilenko is lost long-term, coach Jerry Sloan suggested, the Jazz — who have lost 114 man-games to injury this season, including 32 straight because of All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer and his surgically repaired left knee — will just have to deal with it.

"We have to play a stretch without Boozer, we had to play a stretch without (point guard) Deron Williams," said Sloan, whose club has lost all three January games that Kirilenko has missed. "(But) it's my responsibility to still win.

"I can't do anything about it except put the guys out there that gives us a chance," he added. "There will be some confusion. There will be some guys not really being at the top of their game, probably. But that's part of the growing process."

Williams said losing Kirilenko would be "tough."

"A.K.'s a big part of this team, and with Booz out he's definitely a big part of this team," the Jazz point added. "So, we need him back as soon as possible. Hopefully he's okay."

DECLINING MEMO: ESPN commentator and ex-Jazz guard Tim Legler is endorsing 2006 NBA All-Star Mehmet Okur for one of seven spots when Western Conference reserves for this year's All-Star Game in Phoenix are announced Thursday.

Perhaps he's overlooking Okur's last few games.

The Jazz center has struggled during Utah's three-loss skid, shooting 2-for-13 from the field in last Wednesday's loss at Houston, 1-for-9 in Saturday's loss to Cleveland and 4-for-12 in Sunday's loss at Denver.

That's 20.6 percent for someone otherwise hitting 50.1 percent from the field this season.