Utah Jazz: Five players miss practice

The injury-hampered Jazz practiced with just eight players Tuesday morning.

Among the absentees were backup small forward Andrei Kirilenko, who has missed three of Utah's last four games — including Monday night's win over San Antonio — due to muscle tightness in his strained lower back.

Kirilenko did not travel with the team to Los Angeles tonight and will not play in Wednesday night's game against the Lakers.

Kirilenko underwent an MRI exam today, and according to team spokesman Derek Garduno and trainer Gary Briggs results were "unchanged" from the last time an MRI on his back came up negative.

Backup center Kyrylo Fesenko also did not travel and won't play Wednesday night. He was sent home prior to practice due to a stomach virus.

Swingman Kyle Korver (arthroscopic knee surgery) and combo guard Ronnie Price (toe/foot) didn't practice and won't play against the Lakers, but both did travel with the team to L.A.

So did starting point guard Deron Williams, who was excused from today's practice for personal reasons. He is expected to play in Los Angeles.

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com