This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Like Friday night in the second half against the Miami Heat, the Utah Jazz will be shorthanded, and missing one of their most important players.
Derrick Favors has been ruled out of Sunday's matchup against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center, his sprained ankle not responding well enough to make a go of it against the Wizards.
This is problematic for the Jazz. Not only will they lack size - either in the starting lineup or off the bench - they are going up against one of the biggest and best frontcourts in the league, with Marcin Gortat and NeNe laying in wait.
Utah coach Quin Snyder started Rudy Gobert in Favors' place on Friday, and he responded with a season-high 25 minutes, and went for nine points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots. Gobert and Enes Kanter, over the last week, have played well together, complementing each other with their respective strengths.
If Gobert does start, it will be imperative for him to stay out of early foul issues, which has been a problem for him in the past. If he doesn't, he surely will be an important figure off the bench this evening.
This also will most likely give Kanter a bunch of offensive touches. He scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds against the Heat. He will have to continue that effective play, if the Jazz are to be competitive against a Washington team playing its best basketball in years.
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