Jazz sixth man Andrei Kirilenko is day-to-day after leaving the team's loss to the Nets on Saturday in the first half with pain and inflammation in his right ankle.

He had X-rays taken on Saturday night, and results didn't reveal any sprains or fractures.

Kirilenko admitted that he felt discomfort in the ankle prior to Saturday's game.

Barring a sudden setback, point guard Deron Williams plans to play for the Jazz on Wednesday night against the Grizzlies.

He hasn't played since Nov. 12, when he returned from an ankle injury too soon.

"It is [a relief]," Williams said. "Obviously, I want to play. I've never been out this long. Even when I broke my jaw in college, I wasn't out this long."

New York's chances of landing LeBron James in the summer of 2010 will hinge on whether or not they will be able to sign another star player.

Carlos Boozer will become a free agent this summer and the Knicks could have room to sign him if they deal Eddy Curry before February's deadline.

"It's a realistic concern," a league executive said of New York's ability to land another star to help LeBron. "It's more improbable than likely. I think a lot of people have to start taking LeBron at his word when he says money and marketing are not the most important factors. He's got to be contending for a championship. He can't come in and resurrect everything alone. It wouldn't be any different situation than he is in Cleveland. He wants to be Kobe (Bryant) and Michael (Jordan) and have all those rings."

Jazz guard Deron Williams is expected to return to the court on Wednesday night against the Grizzlies.

"I think that'll help us out," Ronnie Brewer said. "He's our leader, he's our captain. He means a lot to this team. I think guys feed off his intensity. He gets guys involved in the game and he makes it easy for a lot of those guys."

Williams will have missed 13 games assuming his returns on Wednesday night.

The point guard came back for two games earlier this month, only to realize his sprained ankle was not close to full strength.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has made it clear to Williams to return only if he is 100 percent.

Jazz forward Carlos Boozer is doubtful for Friday night's game against the Spurs with a strained left quadriceps.

Boozer did travel with the team to San Antonio, with an MRI on Thursday confirming the strain.

Utah's Deron Williams (sprained ankle), Brevin Knight (strained groin), and Kyle Korver (inflamed right wrist) will also be game-time decisions on Friday night.

Mehmet Okur returned to the Jazz on Monday after flying to Turkey last week to visit his ailing father, but the forward missed Monday's game with a bad back.

Okur's strained lower back was aggravated by the 15-hour trip back to the United States.

"My heart is with them right now," said Okur, whose father has undergone surgery to remove a part of his lung and a brain tumor in the last five years.

"Life still go on," Okur added, "and I've got to look forward and just pray for him and hopefully everything's going to be all right."

Carlos Boozer's big night against the Suns highlighted Monday night's action in the NBA.

- Houston 100, Oklahoma City 89

Luis Scola led the Rockets (7-4) over the Thunder (1-10) with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Yao Ming posted 19 points and 12 rebounds while Ron Artest added 17 points and 11 boards in the victory. Houston shot 50% on the night and outrebounded Oklahoma City by nine. Kevin Durant led with 29 points and 7 rebounds, and fellow sophomore Jeff Green tallied 16 points and 5 boards of his own in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Yao Ming, Houston ? 20.0

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City ? 19.4

Luis Scola, Houston ? 14.9

Robert Swift, Oklahoma City ? 11.0

- Utah 109, Phoenix 97



The Jazz (7-4) overcame a 9-point deficit after the first quarter against the Suns (8-4) to win without Deron Williams. Carlos Boozer posted 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists while Paul Millsap added 11 points and 9 boards for Utah. Phoenix shot 47% from the field, but the Jazz outrebounded them by eighteen. Amare Stoudemire starred with 30 points and 8 rebounds, and Matt Barnes contributed 19 points and 5 boards for the Suns. Williams has only played two games for the Jazz this season because of an ankle injury.

Game FIC Scores

Carlos Boozer, Utah ? 21.6

Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix ? 17.3

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah ? 16.5

Steve Nash, Phoenix ? 12.3

- San Antonio 86, L.A. Clippers 83

Roger Mason Jr. made a three-pointer with 12 seconds left to give the Spurs (5-5) a victory over the still-struggling Clippers (1-9). Mason had 21 points, and Tim Duncan added 20 points and 15 rebounds in the hard-fought contest. Los Angeles outrebounded San Antonio by eleven, but they shot just 41% from the field. Chris Kaman posted 17 points and 13 rebounds while Baron Davis tallied 11 points and 8 assists on 5-for-17 shooting in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio ? 29.0

Chris Kaman, Los Angeles ? 21.1

Marcus Camby, Los Angeles ? 16.4

Roger Mason Jr. ? 9.2

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their `Reina Value.'
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams (left ankle inversion sprain) and forward Andrei Kirilenko (sprained right index finger) are doubtful for tonight?s game at Charlotte.?
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In addition, center Mehmet Okur is not with the team and will miss his third straight game after returning to Turkey to deal with a family illness.? Center Kyrylo Fesenko has rejoined the team and is expected to play tonight after missing the last two games due to personal reasons.?

Jazz point guard Deron Williams mad his season debut on Tuesday night against the 76ers.

He has been out since sustaining a second-degree sprain to his left ankle in an Oct. 18 preseason season game at Chicago.

Jazz shooter Kyle Korver will return to Philadelphia on Tuesday night for the first time since being traded last season.

"I hated it at first," Korver said. "I told everyone here I did not like Philadelphia at all at first. It took me a year or two to get used to it. But I really got to know the city a lot and the people in it, the heart here. I love it here."

Korver was a second-round draft pick in 2004 by the 76ers.