"I have trouble talking about it," Kirilenko said. "I feel sad that he is gone."

He can only hope that the thrill is back tonight, when Kirilenko - assuming he passes another checklist of how's-it-feel at shootaround this morning - plays for the first time in eight weeks, a moment that has been anticipated since the day he got hurt.

His teammates are already revved up.

"The emotional lift of having him back is going to be great for us," said guard Raja Bell. "The energy he brings, stealing the ball and blocking shots, those are things we've been lacking since he's been gone."

Kirilenko sprained the MCL in his right knee Nov. 27, helping to send the Jazz into a 6-20 tailspin during his absence. Now he intends to play five minutes per half against Memphis tonight (7 p.m., no TV), and increase his playing time each game. "I feel great. Hard practice, no problem. It's wonderful," Kirilenko said.

There is an outside chance center Jarron Collins could return from his own right-knee injury, a decision that will be made this afternoon.

pmiller@sltrib.com