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Jazz assistant reportedly in running for Suns’ coaching job

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ricky Rubio goes through tape with assistant coach Igor Kokoskov as they Utah Jazz wrap up a long practice on Friday, April 20, 2018, ahead of Game 3 vs. Thunder on Saturday.

  | April 20, 2018, 10:40 p.m.

Utah Jazz assistant coach Igor Kokoskov is among the candidates being considered for the Phoenix Suns’ coaching job.

An Arizona sports radio station, 98.7 FM, reported Friday that the Suns planned to interview Kokoskov, along with former Rockets coach Kevin McHale and Spurs assistant coach James Borrego for the vacancy.

Kokoskov, 46, spent five years with the Suns organization from 2008-2013. The Jazz’s lead assistant also has worked for the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic during his NBA coaching career. He is also the coach of the Slovenian national team.

Kokoskov joined Quin Snyder’s Utah staff in 2015.

Snyder said earlier this month that he expected some of his top assistants — including Kokoskov and assistant Alex Jensen — to be considered for NBA head coaching jobs.

“Hopefully these guys, for the right opportunity, will have an opportunity to further their own careers,” Snyder said at the time.

Louder than Loud City

The Jazz made it out of the first round a season ago despite losing two of the three games played in Salt Lake City. Forward Derrick Favors hopes his team will be able to capitalize on its home court this time around.

“Just got to come out ready,” Favors said Friday. “Come out with a lot of energy, feed off the crowd. OKC’s going to come out and be aggressive, they’re going to come out and play hard. We’ve got to match their energy, match their intensity. And the most important thing is to just have fun. This is the playoffs, and we’re going against a good team. Go out there and have fun, play hard, play with a lot of energy, feed off the crowd and try to get the win.”

Vivint Smart Home Arena will be decked out in red, orange and yellow — playing on the Southern Utah-themed jerseys the team has worn at times this season — Saturday night.

Best foot forward

Donovan Mitchell didn’t seem too bothered by his bruised left foot in Game 2, when he dropped 28 points on the Thunder, and the injury seems unlikely to affect his status for Game 3. Mitchell officially is listed as probable to play Saturday night.