Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap, Jamaal Tinsley excused from team Friday for personal reasons

Published: Friday, Oct. 12 2012 1:23 p.m. MDT

Utah Jazz's Paul Millsap, right, knocks the ball away from Golden State Warriors' Carl Landry during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, Oct. 8, 2012.

George Nikitin, Associated Press

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Summary

Utah Jazzmen Paul Millsap, Jamaal Tinsley were excused from the team for personal reasons, beginning with tonight's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz will be without Paul Millsap and Jamaal Tinsley for tonight's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The players have been excused from the team to attend to unrelated personal matters. The team did not announce when either will return or why they are absent.

Millsap is traveling to Louisiana to attend the funeral of his paternal grandmother, a source confirmed. The funeral is on Saturday, meaning Millsap will also miss the Jazz's road game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday at Staples Center.

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin no longer makes himself available for media interviews on the morning of home games, so he did not offer a comment on either player's situation.

Third-year pro Derrick Favors is expected to start in Millsap's place at the power forward position. Favors said he has not spoken to Millsap since the seven-year veteran left the team, but plans on speaking to him when he gets back.

Guards Randy Foye, Alec Burks and NBA hopeful Chris Quinn will possibly see extended time at the point guard position. Veteran playmaker Earl Watson continues to rehab his surgically repaired knee and remains sidelined for now.

This will be the Jazz's first home preseason game — and one of only two. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., and the contest will be televised live on Root Sports.

Utah lost its preseason-opener at Golden State, 83-80, on Monday.

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