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A shoulder injury will keep Alec Burks out of the Jazz's starting lineup for at least the next two games.
The team announced Wednesday morning that the fourth-year shooting guard will miss games against the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic while undergoing additional testing on his left shoulder.
For now, the Jazz are calling the guard's injury a "left shoulder inflammation." He tweaked his shoulder trying to contest a layup last week against the Clippers. On Monday, Burks played while wearing a brace.
"You're always concerned when one of your players is injured and out," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "I think it's too early to speculate on … how concerned you should be and how long he might be out."
Rodney Hood will "likely" replace Burks in the starting lineup tonight, the coach said. The rookie has played in two games now since returning from a right foot injury and now has no restriction on his minutes.
Burks started the Jazz's first 18 games, averaging 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3 assists in 33 minutes a night.
"Alec does more than just score for us," forward Derrick Favors, who is feeling better and is expected to suit up against Toronto after missing Monday's game with an illness. "Defensively, passing the ball, match ups, cutting to the basket. Rodney's going to have to step up for us the next couple of games."
The Jazz have recalled combo guard Toure' Murry from the D-League, so they have another body off the bench.
"When we had him go up to Boise, the idea was for him to be able to play, stay in shape, run something similar to what we're doing now and be prepared to come back at any point," Snyder said. "It fit right now for him to come back."
— Aaron Falk