facebook-pixel

Jazz told to wait two more weeks for Joe Johnson’s return

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) gets past New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2), in NBA action Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans, in Salt Lake City, Monday, March 27, 2017.

  | Nov. 30, 2017, 2:24 a.m.

The latest prognosis for Joe Johnson is the same as the last prognosis: Two weeks.

The Utah Jazz announced Wednesday evening that the 36-year-old former All-Star will miss two more weeks of the season with tendon instability in his right wrist. He visited with a hand specialist Tuesday, which the Jazz said indicated he was “showing progress to make a return,” but that return is at least midway through December.

Johnson has played in seven games for the Jazz this season, his 16th in the NBA, averaging 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Last season, Johnson proved to be a vital scorer in the playoffs at power forward.

Sporting a brace for much of the four-week period he’s missed, Johnson was out on the court before Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets dribbling with only a wrap around his wrist.

So far, the Jazz have patched together their frontcourt, which is missing Rudy Gobert and Johnson for at least two more weeks. Sweden’s Jonas Jerebko has started at power forward as Derrick Favors has slid over to starting center. So far the veteran Jerekbo is thriving: He’s averaging 9.3 ppg. and 5.1 rpg. while shooting 50 percent from 3-point range.

The Jazz have an extensive injury report at the moment: Rodney Hood (ankle soreness) missed the last game against the Nuggets, and is questionable for Thursday’s game at the Los Angeles Clippers. Raul Neto (hamstring soreness) is also questionable.