This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Minneapolis — Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko will return to the starting lineup tonight against the Timberwolves at the Target Center.
Kirilenko was forced to leave a road game Wednesday at New York due to a sore back. But after initially being a game-time decision versus Minnesota, the veteran said that he is feeling better and has been cleared for action tonight.
Kirilenko will join Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Jeremy Evans and Al Jefferson in Utah's first rotation.
Evans will again replace normal starting power forward Paul Millsap, who will miss his second consecutive game due to left knee tendinitis. The rookie is expected to match up against the Timberwolves' Kevin Love, who leads the NBA in average rebounds.
Francisco Elson, Mehmet Okur and Ronnie Price are also out for the Jazz.
Okur's back tightened up after a morning shootaround at a downtown hotel. He said the swelling was a reminder that he cannot push himself too hard during his ongoing rehabilitation.
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said that he will start Evans instead of fellow rookie forward Derrick Favors because Evans knows Utah's offensive system better and Favors has been foul prone.
— Brian T. Smith
Twitter: @tribjazz