Sports / Basketball |
Williams, Fisher game-time decisions for Game 5(AP)Updated: 2007-05-31 10:44 The Utah Jazz starting backcourt of Deron Williams and Derek Fisher could miss Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Williams has a sprained right foot. Fisher was in New York on Wednesday morning while his infant daughter underwent a procedure for a rare eye condition. He was expected to arrive in the afternoon, but any delay could prevent him from making the tip-off.
The status of both players will be determined at game time. The likely replacements are Dee Brown, who has played only four minutes this series, and Gordan Giricek. "I can't count on anybody until we get in the building and they put their uniform on," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "If they can't, then we'll count on someone else. That's the way it's supposed to be." Missing either could be a stiff blow to the Jazz, who were trailing the series 3-1 and facing elimination. Williams is averaging a team-best 29.5 points and 9.3 assists this series. Fisher is averaging only 7.3 points per game and shooting 8-of-29, but he's averaging 38 minutes and is the team's most proven playoff performer. Brown is the third-string point guard, with Williams and Fisher the top two. So Brown would start only if Williams and Fisher are out. If either one is there, Giricek probably would start at shooting guard. Williams arrived at Utah's shoot-around Wednesday morning wearing a large walking boot protecting his injured foot -- not ankle, as the team reported Tuesday. He declined to be interviewed, except to say, "We'll see," when asked whether he expected to play. Williams also was a game-time decision for Game 4 because of a stomach ailment, but played 38 minutes and scored a team-best 27 points. Fisher's infant daughter Tatum is receiving treatment for her left eye. He left the team in the second round of the playoffs for an operation in New York, then returned to the team during the third quarter of Game 2 of a second-round series against Golden State. His dramatic arrival, and his five points in overtime, helped the Jazz win that game. The club announced after Game 4 in Salt Lake City on Monday night that Fisher was leaving the team to be with Tatum during further treatment. Team spokeswoman Cindy Edman said the Fishers had a doctor's appointment Tuesday and a procedure Wednesday morning. "I wrote him a text last night and he sounded like things were doing well," forward Carlos Boozer said. "He said he'd be back today. So hopefully everything will be all right and we'll see him tonight." |
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