Carlos Boozer emerged from the Jazz locker room at Friday's pregame shootaround on crutches and climbed into a utility cart for a ride to his car. Asked how he was doing with his strained calf, Boozer said only that it wasn't "as bad as it could have been."

Time will tell whether Boozer has suffered another long-term injury in a Jazz career plagued by them. The Jazz announced that Boozer has a moderate right calf strain and will be re-evaluated Monday after undergoing a weekend of treatment.

"Usually 48 to 72 hours tells you a little more," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said, "and I think we're encouraged by the fact it wasn't worse yesterday and today than it was after he hurt it."

A moderate strain would be the second degree of severity among strained calves. O'Connor said Boozer was on crutches per doctor's orders: "They don't want him to put any weight on it."

Boozer suffered the injury when he stepped awkwardly while taking out the ball after a basket in the third quarter Wednesday in Portland. He had played in all 45 games this season, but his Jazz career has been marked by various knee, hamstring and foot injuries.

Counting Friday, Boozer has missed 125 games on account of strained whatevers -- 44 games after straining his left knee and undergoing surgery last season, 49 games with a strained left hamstring in 2005-06 and 31 games in 2004-05 with a strained right foot.

Ronnie Price, who will start Friday night, with Deron Williams attending the funeral of an uncle in West Virginia, said he told Boozer not to try to rush back too quickly.

"Take your time and let your body heal," Price said. "We need you 100 percent when the playoffs arrive."

Added Ronnie Brewer: "We were kind of worried about him because it was so subtle that he just walked off the court. But we need him back. He's a big part of this team, our go-to guy, and we need him and D-Will back as soon as possible."

Much as he did last season, Paul Millsap will step into the starting lineup with Boozer out. Millsap averaged 16.0 points and 10.3 rebounds as a starter last season, including a streak of 19 consecutive double-doubles.

"Boozer is Boozer," Andrei Kirilenko said. "He's a unique player and it's tough to replace him. I think Paul will do a great job any way, but I hope he's going to get back as soon as possible."

CENTERS OF ATTENTION

The Jazz recalled Kosta Koufos after just a one-game stay with the NBA Development League's Utah Flash only to have Kyrylo Fesenko pronounce himself back from his sprained left ankle and ready to play.

Fesenko went through shootaround, then stayed after for extra work. He has missed six games and only ditched his walking boot Thursday, but said he was feeling healthy. Conditioning, though, might be an issue. "I need to get there again," Fesenko said.