Mehmet Okur underwent an X-ray that was negative Wednesday after straining his lower back during a 103-95 Utah victory against the Clippers at Staples Center.

Okur left the game with 8 minutes, 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter and did not return.

Jerry Sloan has moved into third place on the all-time wins list following Utah's 112-107 victory over Minnesota.

Sloan (1,211) surpassed Pat Riley and now trails only Don Nelson (1,335) and Lenny Wilkens (1,332).

"I'm more proud of the win," Sloan said.

"I'm not into numbers and stuff like that. I never have been. I have a great organization to work for that's given me an opportunity to stay here a long time. I'm very thankful for that and the coaches I've had to work with. It's not about me, it's more about what we try to do as a staff."

The Jazz topped the Cavaliers on Monday night, giving Jerry Sloan his 1,210th victory as a head coach.

The number ties him for third on the all-time wins list with Pat Riley.

"I don't have any," Sloan said after the game when asked for his thoughts on the accomplishment.

"That's not how I played and that's now how I've ever coached. Obviously, I like to win. But I couldn't win without the coaches I've had with me. When you talk about coach of the year and that sort of thing, I've always felt it should be a staff rather than a coach."

Utah's Mehmet Okur made his 10-11 debut on Friday night against the Hornets.

Okur is recovering from surgery on his Achilles tendon.

Utah will limit Okur's minutes as he gets into basketball shape.

Francisco Elson missed Utah's game against Golden State on Monday night because of issues with his work visa.

According to the Jazz, Elson, a native of the Netherlands, "has traveled to Canada to renew his visa ... and is required to remain in (that) country for 48 hours as a part of the process."

Elson's old visa expired when he became an unrestricted free agent last offseason. He could not begin the process of acquiring another one until he got a job last September, when the Jazz signed him.

He's been working on a temporary visa ever since.

Elson is expected to re-join the team for Friday's game at New Orleans.

Deron Williams scored 30 points in Monday's 108-95 win over the Warriors, elevating his three-game total to 96.

"I've had to take a little bit more aggressive approach scoring the basketball this year than I have in the past," said Williams, who is seeing more time as Utah's shooting guard. "That's what I'm doing. I still want to get my teammates the ball. I am still a point guard first. It's necessary on this team for me to score more."

"I have to say this is as good as I have ever seen him play," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said of Williams.

Mehmet Okur hasn't played in a game since April, but he's close to returning after nearly an eight-month absence due to Achilles surgery.

According to Jazz president Randy Rigby, Okur could return during the team's pre-Christmas road trip.

Utah's four-game trip begins Friday in New Orleans and ends on Dec. 22 in Minnesota.

"We think it's a matter of maybe a week, hopefully, that we're gonna see him close to action," Rigby said. "So, I'm optimistic that within a week to two weeks, I'm hoping, that we see Memo back on the court."

Jazz rookie forward Gordon Hayward will start on Friday night against the Magic.

Utah guard Raja Bell is out with a strained right adductor, while center Kyrylo Fesenko will sit out with a sprained left ankle.

Hayward is being called on to start after playing just six minutes in Utah's last four games. He has not played in five games this season due to a coach's decision.

"For me, it's the same. If I get my name called or not called on the bench, I always stay ready," Hayward said. "I was called. So I just have to go in there and do my job and play as hard as I can."

Hayward's first career start came on Nov. 15 against the Thunder.

Deron Williams and Dwight Howard were named the NBA's Players of the Month for their respective conferences.

Williams led the Jazz to a 14-5 start, averaging 21.9 points to go with 9.9 assists, which ranked third in the league.

Howard is fourth in the NBA in rebounds and has helped Orlando begin the season with a 13-4 start.

Jazz executive Greg Miller's mother-in-law was slain on Tuesday in Salt Lake City.

On Wednesday, detectives were collecting evidence at the South Salt Lake book shop where she was found stabbed to death.

Police had no immediate suspects in the slaying of Sherry Black, 64, who was found by her husband Tuesday afternoon at their store, B&W Collector Books and Billiards Supply.