Before we get to the games tonight, the AP is reporting that Carlos Boozer will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
This is pretty significant news for the Jazz, because they’ve been without the All-Star for 21 consecutive games. Paul Millsap has admirably stepped into the Utah starting five and provided the Jazz with numbers comparable to Boozer’s, but the Jazz lack depth with Millsap starting. They also miss Boozer’s leadership.
On top of that, Millsap is currently sidelined for 7-10 days with injury problems of his own. Injuries to the Jazz’ two best frontcourt players (and two-of-three overall) means that they will likely be hurt against an opposing frontcourt player with any kind of skill, which is very significant out West based on the competitive nature of the conference.
The facts of Boozer’s surgery are still a bit sketchy. The AP says that it won’t happen until Jan. 9, which, for the life of me, I can’t understand why. Can you?
While you’re pondering, know that the Jazz face the Lakers Friday.
Good luck Mr. Koufus.
After the injury, the Jazz fitted him a with a brace to wear during rehab. As the workouts built in intensity the brace cut into his knee because it didn’t fit properly. The cut on his knee is close to where the scope will go in and the Doctors want it healed b-4 they operate. Jan 9th is only a target date. They’ve said it could be a couple days one way or the other. And he’s been instructed to stay off of it so the swelling will go down before they go in.
I think Boozer’s injury is a huge deal because of the competitive nature of the West. Right now the Jazz are five games above .500 and in ninth. That sucks for them.
So the sooner, the better for the return of Boozer.
And if he plays well in his return, that should help his market value when he bounces from Utah in free agency.