Utah Jazz: Memo remains day-to-day

Jazz fans waiting for a memo with good news on Memo will still have to keep checking their inboxes.

Mehmet Okur, the usual starting center whose 6-11 presence and outside touch has been sorely missed by Utah during the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers, still isn't sure when or if he'll return to the Jazz's lineup.

"I try to do my best every day, coming and trying to get better, get healthy," Okur said. "But I'm getting closer."

Officially, Okur remains listed as a game-time decision for Thursday night's Game 3. The Jazz lost both games in Los Angeles with Okur sitting out due to a strained right hamstring that he suffered a week-and-a-half ago against the Clippers.

A glimmer of hope for the Jazz is that Okur planned on increasing his activity during the team's practice Wednesday at the Zions Bank Basketball Center, according to a team spokesman. However, he was not planning on actually participating in drills with the team. His workout agenda included doing defensive slides, rebound drills and some shooting on the side.

Not being on the court when it counts most is tough for Okur to take, but he still isn't giving a playing prognostication.

"I wish I was out there playing," Okur said Wednesday, the morning after the Jazz fell to L.A. 119-109 in Game 2 at Staples Center. "This is the kind of injury I've never had in my life before and it's hard to judge. I can't tell one day, couple of hours, couple of days. I don't know when I'm going to come back."

Okur will continue to rehab in hopes that his leg heals in time to help his team try to bring down the loaded and lengthy Lakers.

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