Utah Jazz: Boozer 'out' for Jazz-Celtics game Thursday

Carlos Boozer didn't rule himself out of the Jazz's game Thursday night against Boston, but the team did.

A Jazz spokesman on Wednesday said Boozer, who has missed 42 straight games because of his arthroscopically repaired left knee, is "out" for the TNT-televised meeting with the Celtics.

Boozer, though, didn't suggest nearly as much prior to practice Wednesday morning.

"Doing good. My knee's great," the two-time All-Star power forward said. "I had a great workout (Tuesday). Worked out the day before that (too)."

Boozer stretched with the team before Wednesday's workout, but did not take part in the actual practice.

He left his potential return date open-ended, though the team made it clear it does not plan to have him Thursday.

Also today, starting center Mehmet Okur made it through practice.

Okur missed Tuesday night's win over Memphis due to flu-like symptoms, but he is being called "probable" for Thursday's late-starting game against Boston.

E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com