Utah Jazz notebook: Kirilenko could face longer recovery time

Not one but two bone fragments were removed Friday from the right-ankle area of Jazz sixth man Andrei Kirilenko, who underwent what general manager Kevin O'Connor called "quick" surgery to clean out the joint.

One fragment, seen previously via MRI exams, was much larger than the other, which hadn't been detected until the time of the surgery.

Kirilenko previously had said he was told such a procedure would require a 3- to 4-week recovery/rehab period, but the Jazz didn't release any timetable for his expected return.

Instead, they said the forward from Russia would meet "with the Jazz medical staff Monday for further evaluation" and suggested more would be known then.

Kirilenko was ordered by orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Edwards to stay off his feet until Monday, and he won't be made available for comment until then or later.

His surgery, as expected, was open — and not performed arthroscopically, which typically reduces recovery time.

In any event, Kirilenko isn't expected to return until sometime after the NBA's All-Star Game Weekend in mid-February — which means he'll likely miss at least an additional six games, and maybe more.

Kirilenko already has sat out five straight, including Friday night's win over Oklahoma City, and seven overall since early December, because of the injury.

His versatility will be missed, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan reiterated Friday.

"He gave us flexibility to play different positions on the defensive end of the floor," Sloan said. "He also was a playmaker for us in the halfcourt game.

"Since we started bringing him off the bench (at the start of this season) the ball was in his hands a great deal more to be able to make plays, and I think all those things ... hurt.

"We'll just have to hope he gets healthy quick and gets back and ready to play," the Jazz coach added. "But we can't dwell on it. That's the thing you've got to stay away from. ... If you're a competitor, you forget about it and get back out there and go after it."

DO THE FUNKY KOUFOS: Sloan wasn't in any mood Friday to break down the moves displayed earlier this week by rookie Kosta Koufos during a dance-off with teammate Kyrylo Fesenko at a function for season-ticket holders.

"No," Sloan said when asked. "We've had too much Showtime. And not enough basketball."