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Bruise knee for Hornets

The Utah Jazz may not be the best team in the league as it was in opening the season, but is still on top of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference and is playing excellent basketball, setting itself up as a contender in the second half of the season. Which is what makes the latest news from Utah all the more scarier. In a game against the New Orleans Hornets, Jazz star forward Carlos Boozer bruised his left knee and left the game, uncertain when his return will be.

The Hornets beat the Jazz 94-83 on Saturday night in a game in which Tyson Chandler of the Hornets collided with Boozer. Boozer was called for the foul, stood up holding his knee for a moment and walked off the court. Although x-rays were negative, his knee will be re-examined when the team returns to Salt Lake City and his return date will remain unclear at least until then.

Boozer has had a terrific season and his team relies on him, as well as the team?s other star forward Andrei Kirilenko, also out with an injury, to carry them deep into the postseason. Boozer averages 22.6 points per game (15th in the league) and 11.8 rebounds (fourth in the NBA). His 33 double-doubles this season lead the league. He scored 64 points and grabbed 34 rebounds in the two games prior to the injury, and only 2 points in four minutes of playing time against the Hornets.