Utah Jazz: Brewer oversleeps, late for shootaround, won't start tonight

By Jody Genessy

Deseret News

Because he woke up late and then showed up tardy to this morning's team shootaround, shooting guard Ronnie Brewer will not be in the Utah Jazz's starting rotation for tonight's game against the Washington Wizards.

The Jazz will, however, have point guard Deron Williams and center Mehmet Okur on the court at tipoff time. Williams (bruised right fibula) and Okur (mild right ankle sprain) were previously considered game-time decisions after suffering minor injuries Sunday at Orlando, but have since been given the green light to play.

Brewer's availability, on the other hand, is up in the air after he arrived tardy because the usual starter said he "just overslept."

"I guess mistakes happen," Brewer said, "and you've got to pay for your mistakes."

Brewer eventually made it to the shootaround, but as per team policy, the Jazz deemed it necessary to take punitive action because he broke the team rule.

"It was not an excused lateness," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said. "The whole key is if somebody is late for work, there's got to be accountability. There's got to be a consequence."

O'Connor said it will be up to coach Jerry Sloan whether or not Brewer will see any playing time tonight. He did not divulge if Brewer had also been fined for his unexcused tardiness.

This is the first time Brewer has been late and received punishment by the team, O'Connor said. Brewer has started 66 of the Jazz's 67 games this season — the one exception coming when he missed a game to attend his aunt's funeral.

O'Connor was uncertain who would start in Brewer's place, though Kyle Korver is a likely candidate.

Sloan had already addressed the media for the morning when Brewer's reprimand was announced and was unavailable for comment.

E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com