In the News

AP Source: Nets acquire Wallace from Trail Blazers (Yahoo! Sports)
A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the New Jersey Nets have acquired Gerald Wallace from the Portland Trail Blazers for two injured players and a protected first-round draft pick. The Nets sent center Mehmet Okur and forward Shawne Williams to Portland along with their own 2012 draft pick.

Okur out, Humphries plays despite flu (AP)
New Jersey center Mehmet Okur is out for the Nets' game against Cleveland because of a back injury. New Jersey coach Avery Johnson said Okur will have an MRI on Saturday. Okur missed two games earlier in the season because of back spasms. Nets forward Kris Humphries is in the starting lineup despite missing Friday's morning shoot-around with the stomach flu.

Nets without Okur, James for game against Heat
Nets center Mehmet Okur and small forward Damion James will miss Saturday night's game against the Heat, coach Avery Johnson said.



Cavaliers' 16 3-pointers sink Nets (AP)

Antawn Jamison scored 23 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers made 16 3-pointers in a 98-82 win over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday. Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 pick in the draft, had 13 points, four assists and four rebounds for Cleveland (2-2). Deron Williams led New Jersey (1-4) with 16 points. The Nets dropped their fourth straight game despite having all five starters score in double figures.

Howard has 24 boards, Magic roll by Nets (AP)

Ryan Anderson scored 22 points, Dwight Howard had 16 points and 24 rebounds and the Orlando Magic cruised to a 94-78 win over the New Jersey Nets on Thursday night. Jason Richardson added 16 points for the Magic -- including 15 in the first half -- and J.J. Redick scored 15 points off the bench. It was the 49th career 20-rebound game for Howard, who neared his career high of 26 rebounds.

Jazz trade C Okur to Nets for draft pick (AP)
The Utah Jazz have traded All-Star center Mehmet Okur to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a future second-round draft pick. The 6-foot-11 Okur is in his 10th year. The Nets needed another big man after learning Brook Lopez was out until at least February from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

Jazz trade Okur to Nets for draft pick
The Utah Jazz have traded All-Star center Mehmet Okur to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a future second-round draft pick.

Mehmet Okur (back, Achilles) of Utah Jazz likely done for year
Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur is out for the rest of the regular season because of continued issues with his lower back and Achilles' tendon.

Jazz C Okur out three weeks
Utah Jazz reserve center Mehmet Okur will miss at least three weeks because of a chronic disc problem in his lower back.

Utah Jazz C Mehmet Okur (back) to miss at least three weeks
Utah Jazz reserve center Mehmet Okur will miss at least three weeks because of a chronic disc problem in his lower back.

Jazz G Williams to miss third straight (AP)
Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams will miss his third straight game Wednesday night against Charlotte because of a wrist injury. The Jazz are 1-1 without Williams, who will be replaced in the starting lineup by Earl Watson. Reserve center Mehmet Okur will miss his 34th game of the season, and the second straight because of a lower-back strain.

Nets snap 6-game losing streak, top Jazz (AP)

Hours after owner Mikhail Prokhorov ended their long, drawn-out pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, the New Jersey Nets snapped a six-game losing streak with a 103-95 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Brook Lopez scored 11 of his 20 points in a big third quarter and the Nets seemed to relax with the trade talk over in winning for only the second time in 13 games.

Jazz F Millsap out with bruised hip (AP)
Utah forward Paul Millsap is sitting out against Atlanta because of a bruised hip and Francisco Elson is making his first start in a Jazz uniform. The Jazz also made reserve center Mehmet Okur inactive for Wednesday night's game and said he will not make the next road trip to Memphis and Houston even though results of an MRI showed no significant differences in his lower back.

Mehmet Okur of Utah Jazz sits out against Cleveland Cavaliers
Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur will miss Monday night's game against Cleveland because of a sprained right ankle.

Okur out for Jazz against Cavaliers (AP)
Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur will miss Monday night's game against Cleveland because of a sprained right ankle. Okur, who returned from an Achilles' injury two games ago, was injured during pregame warmups Monday. "He's been looking forward to working himself back in," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.

Mehmet Okur makes season debut for Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Hornets
Utah's Mehmet Okur is playing for the first time since rupturing his left Achilles' tendon last season.

Utah Jazz missing Kyrylo Fesenko, Jeremy Evans vs. Toronto Raptors
The Jazz, already missing Mehmet Okur, will be without a second big man as Kyrylo Fesenko is out for their game against Toronto with a gastric ailment.

Jazz ink free-agent C Elson (AP)
The Utah Jazz have signed free-agent center Francisco Elson. The Jazz are adding the 7-foot, 240-pound veteran as starter Mehmet Okur recovers from a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Okur was injured in Utah's playoff opener at Denver and may not be available for training camp and the preseason. General manager Kevin O'Connor announced the deal Wednesday in a statement.

Jazz make offers to Matthews, Fesenko (AP)
The Utah Jazz have made qualifying offers to Ukrainian center Kyrylo Fesenko and guard Wesley Matthews. The Jazz had until Wednesday to make the offers and keep the right to match offers from other teams for the restricted free agents. Utah made the offers Monday. Terms were not disclosed. Fesenko became a starter when Mehmet Okur tore his Achilles' tendon in the playoff opener at Denver.

Surgery may keep Mehmet Okur out of training camp
Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur says he may miss training camp and the preseason while recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon.

Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur has surgery on ruptured left Achilles tendon
Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur will begin active rehabilitation in two weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his ruptured left Achilles tendon.

Jazz C Okur undergoes Achilles' surgery (AP)
Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur will begin active rehabilitation in two weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair his ruptured left Achilles' tendon. Okur ruptured the tendon during the Jazz's loss at Denver on Saturday. The injury will force Okur to miss the remainder of the playoffs. Okur just finished his eighth NBA season and sixth with the Jazz.

Jazz to start C Fesenko for injured Okur (AP)
Running out of big bodies, the Utah Jazz are going to start Kyrylo Fesenko at center in Game 2 of their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. The second-year player out of Ukraine, who averaged 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds this season, replaces center Mehmet Okur. Okur is out for the rest of the playoffs after tearing his left Achilles' tendon in the first half of Utah's...

Utah Jazz's Mehmet Okur tears Achilles tendon, ends season
Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor says center Mehmet Okur has a torn left Achilles' tendon and is out for the remainder of the playoffs.

utah Jazz's Mehmet Okur reinjures Achilles tendon; set to have MRI on Sunday
Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur was helped off the court after reinjuring his left Achilles tendon in the second quarter of Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

Jazz C Okur reinjures Achilles' (AP)
Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur was helped off the court after reinjuring his left Achilles' in the second quarter of Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. He will have an MRI on Sunday. Okur was driving to the hoop when he planted on his left foot and tumbled to the floor with eight minutes left in the quarter.

Boozer hurt in Jazz win over Warriors (AP)
Mehmet Okur had 23 points and seven rebounds, Paul Millsap grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz swept the three-game season series against Golden State with a 103-94 win over the Warriors on Tuesday night despite losing leading scorer Carlos Boozer to an early injury. Boozer strained his right ribcage while playing all 12 minutes of the opening period.

Utah Jazz forward Mehmet Okur out vs. New Orleans Hornets
A Utah Jazz spokesman says center Mehmet Okur will not play against the New Orleans Hornets because of a left Achilles' tendon strain.

Strained Achilles' tendon sidelines Okur (AP)
A Utah Jazz spokesman says center Mehmet Okur will not play against the New Orleans Hornets because of a left Achilles' tendon strain. Okur had been playing with pain in the tendon for a couple games but left during the third quarter of Utah's loss at Houston on Wednesday night. The teams says the pain remains too much for Okur to play in Friday night's game in New Orleans.

Okur, Jazz extend Wizards' losing streak to 15
Mehmet Okur had 22 points and 11 rebounds and the Utah Jazz beat Washington 103-87 on Saturday night, extending the Wizards' team-record losing streak to 15 games.

Jazz extend Wizards' losing streak to 15 (AP)
Mehmet Okur had 22 points and 11 rebounds and the Utah Jazz beat Washington 103-87 on Saturday night, extending the Wizards' team-record losing streak to 15 games. Deron Williams had 20 points and 12 assists for the Jazz, and Carlos Boozer added 22 points -- hitting all eight of his second-half shots -- and 10 rebounds.

Williams, Boozer lead Jazz over Raptors (AP)
Deron Williams had 18 points, 16 assists and eight rebounds, leading the Utah Jazz to a 113-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Carlos Boozer added 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Mehmet Okur and rookie Wesley Matthews had 16 points apiece for the Jazz, who won their third straight.

Jazz snap Celtics' 4-game win streak (AP)
Mehmet Okur scored all of his 14 points in the second half and pulled down 15 rebounds, Deron Williams added 22 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz ended the Boston Celtics' four-game winning streak with a 110-97 victory Monday night. C.J. Miles added 23 points and Carlos Boozer overcame early foul trouble to finish with 19 points -- all but one in the second half -- nine rebounds and two...

Thunder top Jazz, continue playoff push (AP)
With starters Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko out with injuries, the Utah Jazz have lost back-to-back games for the first time in more than two months. That small stumble provided a window just big enough for the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder to be nipping at their heels to take away home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko missing from Utah Jazz starting lineup
Center Mehmet Okur and forward Andrei Kirilenko were missing from Utah's starting lineup Sunday night as the Jazz played a key game for playoff positioning at Oklahoma City.

Jazz get 10th straight win vs. Pistons (AP)

Deron Williams had 18 points and 12 assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the Detroit Pistons 115-104 Wednesday night. The Jazz had seven players in double figures as they posted their 10th straight victory over Detroit. Former Pistons center Mehmet Okur finished with 18 points, while Carlos Boozer had 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Williams' big 4th rallies Jazz by Suns (AP)

Deron Williams scored 13 of his 27 points during a 41-point fourth quarter, Mehmet Okur added 24 points, and Utah rallied from a 12-point final period deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 116-108 on Thursday night. The Jazz trailed 98-86 early in the fourth quarter, then reeled off 12 straight points, capped by a 3-pointer by Okur to tie the game.

Jazz score 41 in fourth to overtake Amare, Suns
Deron Williams scored 13 of his 27 points during a 41-point fourth quarter, Mehmet Okur added 24 points, and Utah rallied from a 12-point final period deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 116-108 on Thursday night.

Williams, Okur lead Jazz past Rockets (AP)

Deron Williams scored 17 points and dished out 15 assists, Mehmet Okur scored 21 points and the Utah Jazz continued their midseason surge with a 104-95 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Paul Millsap scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, helping the Jazz win for the 14th time in 16 games.

Jazz beat Blazers, win seventh straight (AP)

Deron Williams had 13 points and 13 assists, and rookie Wesley Matthews had 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting to help the Utah Jazz win their seventh straight game, 118-105 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. Mehmet Okur scored a season-high 28 points and had eight rebounds, and Andrei Kirilenko added 22 points, eight assists and six rebounds for Utah.

Nets drop 11th straight, fall to 3-40 (AP)

Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Utah Jazz beat the bumbling New Jersey Nets 116-83 on Saturday night, keeping the Nets winless against the Western Conference. Carlos Boozer had 22 points and nine rebounds, and Ronnie Brewer added 15 points for Utah. The Jazz have won five of six and are seven games above .500 for the first time this season at 25-18.

Boozer, Williams help Jazz rout Heat (AP)

Deron Williams had 23 points and 10 assists and Carlos Boozer finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds as the Jazz beat the road-weary Heat 118-89 on Monday night, Utah's first win over Miami in more than two years. Mehmet Okur added 13 points and tied his career high with five blocks as the Jazz beat the Heat for the first time since December 2007.

Lawson gets Anthony-less Nuggets by Jazz (AP)

Ty Lawson had 23 points and nine assists and the Denver Nuggets ended a three-game losing streak despite playing without injured stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, beating the Utah Jazz 105-95 on Saturday night The Nuggets compensated for missing such a huge chunk of their offense with gritty defense, forcing Utah into a season-high 26 turnovers.

Lakers use big 4th to win 10th straight (AP)

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, Pau Gasol had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers rolled off 19 consecutive points in the fourth quarter of their 10th straight victory, 101-77 over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Ron Artest scored 17 points for the Lakers, who improved to an NBA-best 17-3 by holding the Jazz to six points and two field goals in a comically one-sided fourth...

Love has 18 and 10, lifts Wolves by Jazz (AP)

Kevin Love hasn't shown any signs of rust from five weeks on the sideline. In his second game back, Love had 18 points and 10 rebounds to help the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 108-101 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. Ryan Gomes scored 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting and Jonny Flynn had 16 points and four assists for the Timberwolves, who won for just the third time in 20 games this...

Short-handed Jazz ride Boozer, top 76ers (AP)

Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Wesley Matthews added a career-high 16 points and the short-handed Utah Jazz ran past the Philadelphia 76ers 112-90 on Friday night. Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur scored 15 points each, Ronnie Brewer contributed 14 and Eric Maynor had 13 points and 11 assists for the Jazz, who played without point guard Deron Williams yet still had seven players in...

Jazz earn first win at MSG since 2004 (AP)

Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko each scored 23 points, and the Utah Jazz won in New York for the first time in more than five years by beating the Knicks 95-93 on Monday night. Mehmet Okur had the go-ahead basket with 1:16 to play and finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, who opened a difficult four-game road trip by winning at Madison Square Garden for the first time since Feb.

Boozer's 27 and 14 lift Jazz over Spurs (AP)

Carlos Boozer ended his slump with 27 points and 14 rebounds and the Utah Jazz snapped a two-game losing skid by beating the San Antonio Spurs 113-99 on Thursday night. Deron Williams also scored 27 and had nine assists in Utah's first win over San Antonio since April 2008. Andrei Kirilenko added 12 points and six assists and rookie Wesley Matthews scored a career-high 12 points for Utah, which...

Nowitzki has 29 of 40 in 4th, Mavs rally (AP)

Dirk Nowitzki scored a club-record 29 of his 40 points during a frantic fourth-quarter comeback and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 96-85 on Tuesday night. Nowitzki broke the franchise record of 24 points in any quarter set by Mark Aguirre against Denver on March 24, 1984. Dallas was down 72-56 after Utah's Wes Matthews hit a layup with 9:51 left.

Anthony scores 30, Nuggets beat Jazz (AP)

Carmelo Anthony had a game-high 30 points and rookie Ty Lawson scored seven of his 17 points in a pivotal fourth-quarter run, lifting the Denver Nuggets to a season-opening 114-105 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Chauncey Billups finished with 25 while Kenyon Martin added 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz agree to extension, sources say
The Utah Jazz and center Mehmet Okur have agreed in principle to a two-year contract extension worth just under $21 million, according to NBA front-office sources.



Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur stay with Jazz, reject free agency
Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur exercised the options on their contracts and will stay with the Jazz.

Boozer, Okur decide to stay with Jazz (AP)
Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur are both staying with the Utah Jazz next season. About two hours after Boozer let the Jazz know he decided against opting out of the final year of his contract -- which he once said he intended to do -- Okur joined him Tuesday night. The moves keep the Jazz lineup intact, but at a hefty price, as Boozer is scheduled to make $12.7 million next season and Okur $9...

Jazz push home streak to 7, beat Wolves (AP)

When the game got tight, Mehmet Okur took over for the Utah Jazz. After the Minnesota Timberwolves cut a big lead to one, Okur hit consecutive 3-pointers to boosted the Jazz past Minnesota 112-107 Tuesday night for their seventh straight home win. Deron Williams twice drove to the basket and collapsed the defense to set up Okur.

Okur's career-high 43 power Jazz to win (AP)

Mehmet Okur felt like he couldn't miss and was nearly right. Okur scored a career-high 43 points for Utah as the Jazz beat Indiana 120-113 Monday night, holding off a late push by the Pacers after they rallied from a 20-point deficit. Okur made 13 of 19 shots, going 3-for-4 on 3-pointers, and was 14-for-15 from the foul line while leading Utah to its fourth straight win.

Jazz make it eight straight vs. Pistons (AP)

Mehmet Okur scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half against his former team and the Utah Jazz beat the Detroit Pistons for the eighth straight time, 99-82 on Saturday night. Andrei Kirilenko had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Matt Harpring also scored 11 points to help the Jazz sweep the Pistons for the fourth straight season.

Williams' 25 and 15 assists lift Jazz (AP)

Deron Williams had 25 points and 15 assists, Ronnie Brewer scored seven crucial points down the stretch, and the Utah Jazz held off the Golden State Warriors 119-114 on Monday night. Williams tied his season high in assists as the Jazz led most of the way but could never break the game open from the Warriors, despite the loss of Stephen Jackson to a hamstring injury at the end of the first half.

Bryant scores 40 as Lakers beat Jazz (AP)

Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 113-100 Friday night for their fifth straight win and 17th in 18 home games. Pau Gasol added 21 points, giving him 10,001 for his career, and had 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a four-day break. Mehmet Okur had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz, who have lost four of their six and three in a row on the...

Nowitzki ejected as Mavs lose to Jazz (AP)

Rookie Kosta Koufos scored a career-high 18 points and Deron Williams added 17 points and 13 assists as the short-handed Utah Jazz beat the Dallas Mavericks 97-88 on Friday night. The Jazz were without Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur -- their top three scorers and rebounders -- but outran the weary Mavericks all game and ended Dallas' three-game winning streak.

Banged-up Jazz without Okur, then lose Millsap
The Jazz didn't have Mehmet Okur in the lineup and then lost Paul Millsap to injury on Tuesday.

Gordon, Rose lead Bulls past Jazz 106-98 (AP)

Derrick Rose certainly got Deron Williams' attention. Rose had 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, and Ben Gordon scored 26 points in the Chicago Bulls' 106-98 victory over Williams and the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. "He's (Rose) been doing it all season," Williams said. "He's a great player. He's not playing like a rookie.

Jazz extend run over Pistons to 7 in 2OT (AP)

Deron Williams scored 29 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Detroit Pistons 120-114 in double overtime Friday night. The win was Utah's seventh straight over the Pistons and Mehmet Okur, who finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, is 8-1 against them since leaving Detroit after winning the 2004 NBA title.

Jazz score 7 in 1st but rally past Nets (AP)

Deron Williams had 17 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz overcame a seven-point first quarter and a 22-point deficit to beat the New Jersey Nets 103-92 on Wednesday night. Mehmet Okur had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz, who snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 1-1 on a five-game road trip.

Howard-less Magic defeat Jazz 103-94 (AP)

Rashard Lewis scored 27 points, and the Orlando Magic beat the Utah Jazz 103-94 on Saturday night despite playing without injured center Dwight Howard for the first time. Howard missed the first game of his career because of a left knee injury sustained in Friday's loss at Phoenix. He had played in all 351 games since being drafted No.

Okur's 27 and 10 help Jazz beat Blazers (AP)

It didn't matter much where Mehmet Okur was lining up for his shots in the first half. From 3-point range or under the basket, everything was falling for Okur in Utah's 97-88 victory over Portland on Thursday night. Okur scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half and pulled down 10 rebounds. He was 9-for-14 from the floor and made two of the Jazz's three 3-pointers.

Wolves lose to Jazz in McHale's debut (AP)

Kevin McHale instilled some much-needed energy and heart into his down-and-out Timberwolves in his first game as coach. Next on his agenda should be teaching them how to shoot free throws. Mehmet Okur hit the go-ahead shot with 1.7 seconds to play and the Utah Jazz capitalized on 16 missed free throws by Minnesota to rally for a 99-96 victory on Tuesday night.

Harris' 34 help Nets win in Utah (AP)

Devin Harris seemed to have plenty of room in the lane for layup after layup. And the few times the Utah Jazz tried to shut it down for Harris and the Nets, he either drew a foul or passed it back out to a teammate for an easy shot. Harris had 34 points and six assists and the Nets beat the Jazz 105-88 on Saturday night, giving New Jersey its fourth win in five games.

Okur helps Jazz beat Grizzlies 103-94 (AP)

The short-handed Utah Jazz got defensive against the young Memphis Grizzlies. Mehmet Okur had a season-high 23 points, leading the Jazz to a 103-94 victory over Memphis on Saturday night. The Jazz were without guard Deron Williams, leading scorer and rebounder Carlos Boozer and key reserve Kyle Korver, but still managed to overcome the offensive loss with a strong defense effort.

Okur leads Jazz past Grizzlies 103-94 (AP)

Mehmet Okur had a season-high 23 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 103-94 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. Okur was 9-of-15 from the field, including missing only one of his five shots from 3-point range, as the Jazz won the sixth straight game in the series. Ronnie Brewer, who was 10-of-14 from the floor, added 21 points, Morris Almond had 11, and Ronnie Price 10.

Mason, 3s lift Spurs past Jazz 119-94 (AP)

Roger Mason scored 29 points and the San Antonio Spurs made 15 of 25 3-pointers to beat the Utah Jazz 119-94 Friday night. Playing without the backcourt of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs still managed to hit eight of their first nine 3-point attempts. Rookie George Hill scored a career-high 23 points for San Antonio (6-6) which has won four of its last five.

Williams, Kirilenko out against Bobcats
Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams was sidelined again for Friday's game against Charlotte, as coach Jerry Sloan acknowledged they brought him back too soon from a left ankle injury. With sixth man Andrei Kirilenko also sitting out with a sprained right index finger and center Mehmet Okur missing his third straight game to be with his ill father in Turkey, the Jazz were missing three of their top six players against the Bobcats.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/453516029" height="1" width="1"/

Jazz missing Williams, Kirilenko, Okur (AP)
Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams was sidelined again for Friday's game against Charlotte, as coach Jerry Sloan acknowledged they brought him back too soon from a left ankle injury. With sixth man Andrei Kirilenko also sitting out with a sprained right index finger and center Mehmet Okur missing his third straight game to be with his ill father in Turkey, the Jazz were missing three of their...

Okur returns to Turkey to deal with family illness
Utah center Mehmet Okur is returning to his home country of Turkey to deal with an illness in his family. The Jazz said Monday they have excused Okur so he can be with his family. No other details were released. Okur is Utah's second-leading scorer at 15.5 points per game and has been averaging 6.5 rebounds for the Jazz.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/448797383" height="1" width="1"/

Okur leaves Jazz for Turkey to handle family issue
Utah center Mehmet Okur is returning to his home country of Turkey to deal with an illness in his family.

Boozer's 25 points lead Jazz by Nuggets (AP)
Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 14 rebounds and Andrei Kirilenko added 16 points in his new reserve role and the Utah Jazz opened the season with a 98-94 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. Mehmet Okur had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Ronnie Price finished with five assists starting in place of Deron Williams, who is out with a sprained ankle.

Jazz ease past short-handed Blazers (AP)

Andrei Kirilenko had 15 points and five assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers 93-80 in a preseason game Sunday. With the exception of center Greg Oden, the Blazers' expected starters for the season rested or were out because of injuries. Carlos Boozer played in his first exhibition game for the Jazz, who led by as many as 19 points.

Report: Jazz, Williams agree to 4-year extension
The Utah Jazz doled out big-money contracts to land free agents Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur in the summer of 2004. Four years later, the Jazz are ready to give franchise point guard Deron Williams a big-money deal, too.

Williams pushes Jazz to 3-1 series lead (AP)

Mehmet Okur can expect to get something nice from teammate Deron Williams. Okur bailed out Williams when he missed two free throws with 7.3 seconds left, then Okur made two from the line to seal an 86-82 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday that put the Jazz up 3-1 in the best-of-7 series. "Memo saved my butt.

Jazz beat Rockets for 2-0 series lead (AP)

Tracy McGrady disappeared again in the fourth quarter and the Utah Jazz took a commanding lead in their playoff series with the Houston Rockets. Deron Williams shrugged off an ankle injury and scored 22 points and Mehmet Okur added 16 points and 16 rebounds as the Jazz beat the Rockets 90-84 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Jazz rip Nuggets, boost home-court hopes (AP)

Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds, Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 124-97 Saturday night to strengthen their hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Jazz won three of four against their Northwest Division rivals for the third straight season and kept the Nuggets from moving closer to the final Western...

Hornets have no answer for powerful Jazz
In manhandling the Hornets, Mehmet Okur's Jazz looked the team more likely to make a playoff run, Charley Rosen says.

Jazz end Hornets' 11-game home streak (AP)

Mehmet Okur had 22 points and 17 rebounds to help the Utah Jazz clinch the Northwest Division and snap the New Orleans Hornets' 11-game home winning streak, 77-66 on Tuesday night. Deron Williams had 16 assists and outplayed Chris Paul as the Jazz took a 20-point lead early in the fourth quarter and cruised from there, holding New Orleans to its lowest point total of the season.

Jazz snap Spurs' 8-game win streak 90-64 (AP)

Mehmet Okur had 17 points and 16 rebounds and the Utah Jazz ended San Antonio's eight-game winning streak, beating the Spurs 90-64 on Friday night. San Antonio matched its lowest point total in franchise history, set in a loss to Cleveland in March 1997. The Jazz held the defending NBA champion Spurs without a point for almost the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter.

Okur's 22 lead Jazz over Timberwolves (AP)

With six games remaining against teams in playoff contention, the last thing the Jazz needed was a draining game against the lowly Timberwolves. Mehmet Okur made sure Utah had a relatively easy night. Okur made four 3-pointers and scored 22 points, leading the Jazz to a 117-100 win over Minnesota. He scored 19 of points and made three 3-pointers in the second half.

Kirilenko, Brewer out for Jazz (AP)
Andrei Kirilenko and Ronnie Brewer both missed the Utah Jazz's game against Washington on Monday because of injuries, while the Wizards' Caron Butler sat out with a strained hamstring. Kirilenko (calf) missed his second straight game with muscle spasms in his right calf. While the Jazz were also without Brewer (groin), they did get center Mehmet Okur back from a stomach virus.

Jazz's Okur, Brewer to sit out with stomach virus
Mehmet Okur and Ronnie Brewer will not dress Friday night in Utah's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a stomach virus.

Jazz's Okur, Brewer out vs. Clippers (AP)
Mehmet Okur and Ronnie Brewer will not dress Friday night in Utah's game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of a stomach virus. Stomach problems caused Okur to head to the locker room after playing just seven minutes against the Toronto Raptors on March 17 . Physically weakened from fluid loss, he struggled to score 10 points against the Los Angeles Lakers three nights later.

Boozer, Williams lead Jazz over Bobcats (AP)

Carlos Boozer had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Deron Williams added 14 points and 15 assists to lead the Utah Jazz over the Charlotte Bobcats 128-106 on Tuesday night. Mehmet Okur also had a double-double for Utah with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Jazz pulled away after letting a 20-point lead slip to three early in the fourth quarter.

Jazz send Sonics to 11th straight loss (AP)

Once Mehmet Okur's body felt better, his pinpoint shooting returned to form. And just in time for the Utah Jazz. Okur, who has been ailing with a stomach flu this week, scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half Saturday night and sparked Utah's game-changing run in a 115-101 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics, who have lost 11 in a row.

Jefferson's late bucket gives Nets win (AP)

The New Jersey Nets put the game in Richard Jefferson's hands and he did not disappoint. Jefferson made a running jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining to give the Nets a 117-115 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. "On that situation, you want to win the game or put it into overtime," said Nets coach Lawrence Frank.

Jazz notch 18th straight home victory (AP)

First, Mehmet Okur drove through the Denver Nuggets with the swiftness of a guard. Then, the 6-foot-11 Utah center went outside and started shooting like a guard, too. Okur hit a career-high six 3-pointers while leading the Jazz to a 132-105 rout of the Nuggets, extending Utah's lead over Denver in the Northwest Division.

Jazz rout Wolves, run home streak to 17 (AP)

Deron Williams had 21 points and 11 assists and the Utah Jazz won their 17th straight home game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-76 on Wednesday night. Utah improved to 26-3 at home and is two wins away from tying the team record for consecutive home wins. Carlos Boozer had 16 points and 14 rebounds, Mehmet Okur added 15 points and nine boards and Ronnie Brewer scored 16 for the Jazz.

Williams' 19 assists spark Jazz (AP)

Deron Williams had 19 assists and scored 13 points, and the Utah Jazz sent the Memphis Grizzlies to their eighth straight loss, 113-92 on Saturday night. Seven scored in double figures for Utah, including all five starters. Carlos Boozer led Utah with 18 points, and Mehmet Okur finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Paul helps Hornets defeat Jazz 110-98 (AP)

Chris Paul explained his latest highlight-filled performance by complimenting his friend and fellow All-Star point guard, Deron Williams. "When you play against the best, it brings out the best in you," Paul said. Paul had 24 points, 16 assists and five steals to help the New Orleans Hornets hold off the Utah Jazz 110-98 on Friday night.

Okur rallies Jazz past Pistons 103-95 (AP)

Mehmet Okur scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Utah rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat the Detroit Pistons 103-95 Wednesday night. The Jazz won their sixth straight over the Pistons, holding them without a field goal for almost 12 minutes between the end of the third and midway through the fourth.

Jazz complete season sweep of Warriors (AP)

Deron Williams had 29 points and 12 assists, and the Utah Jazz overcame a shaky first quarter to beat the Golden State 119-109 on Tuesday night, sweeping the season series against the Warriors. All-Star Carlos Boozer had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Mehmet Okur also had a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.

Okur leads Jazz to seventh straight win (AP)

Mehmet Okur scored 27 points, 19 in the second half, and had 11 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz won their seventh-straight game with a 96-87 win against the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Utah started slow, but pulled away in the fourth quarter to pick up its 11th win in the last 12 games. Deron Williams picked up his sixth-straight double-double for the Jazz with 11 points and 12 assists.

Williams helps Jazz win sixth straight (AP)

Deron Williams had 22 points and 12 assists for his fifth straight double-double, and the Utah Jazz extended their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 100-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Carlos Boozer added 17 points and Mehmet Okur finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz, who haven't trailed in their last two games.

Kleiza's 41 power Nuggets over Jazz (AP)

Linas Kleiza scored a career-high 41 points and Allen Iverson added 28 as the Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz 120-109 on Thursday night. Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, and Marcus Camby had 24 rebounds and 11 blocks for the Nuggets, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Deron Williams had 23 points to lead the Jazz, whose four-game winning streak ended.

Jazz roll past undermanned Suns 108-86 (AP)

Mehmet Okur scored 22 points and pulled down 17 rebounds and the Utah Jazz routed the tired and short-handed version of the Phoenix Suns 108-86 Thursday night. Deron Williams added 17 points and 11 assists and Ronnie Brewer tied his career high with 21 points for the Jazz, who had an advantage from the start with three Suns starters unavailable.

Lakers' Jackson ties Auerbach in wins (AP)

Phil Jackson pulled even with Red Auerbach in regular-season victories, 5 1/2 seasons after tying the Boston Celtics coach for the most NBA championships won. Kobe Bryant had 31 points and seven assists before sitting out the fourth quarter and the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 123-109 Friday night, giving Jackson his 938th career win and a share of seventh place on the career list.

Pierce lifts Celtics over Jazz 104-98 (AP)

Paul Pierce hit a tiebreaking layup with 28 seconds left, then sealed Boston's fifth straight victory with a defensive rebound and two free throws as the Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 104-98 Saturday night. Pierce was shut out in the first half, then took over the scoring in the final two periods. He had 10 points in the third and another 14 in the fourth to lead Boston to its 14th win in the last 15...

Dime: Okur shakes Shaq
Mehmet Okur buried four of five 3-pointers and scored 25 points on Shaq after what Dime says was an inauspicious start.

Okur scores 25 to lead Jazz past Heat (AP)

Mehmet Okur can't match Shaquille O'Neal's strength in the paint, so he moved outside. Way outside. Okur scored 25 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead the Utah Jazz to a 110-101 victory over the reeling Miami Heat on Monday night. "I felt great. My team does such a good job creating open shots for me.

Boozer, Okur out with injuries for Jazz
Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur did not play in Utah's game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Boozer was out with a sprained right ankle and Okur missed the game with back spasms. Boozer injured his ankle Wednesday in a win at Philadelphia. It was the first game he missed this season after leading the Jazz through the first 16 with a 25.4-point scoring average and 12 double-doubles.

Boozer, Okur sit out for Jazz vs. Lakers (AP)
Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur did not play in Utah's game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Boozer was out with a sprained right ankle and Okur missed the game with back spasms. Boozer injured his ankle Wednesday in a win at Philadelphia. It was the first game he missed this season after leading the Jazz through the first 16 with a 25.4-point scoring average and 12...

Boozer leads Jazz over 76ers 106-95 (AP)

Carlos Boozer scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Utah Jazz to a 106-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Ronnie Brewer added 19 points and Mehmet Okur had 16. Deron Williams had 15 points and 15 assists for the Jazz (11-5), who rebounded after a 113-109 loss at New York two nights earlier.

Raptors' Nesterovic could miss 2 weeks
Toronto Raptors center Rasho Nesterovic will miss one to two weeks with a sprained right ankle. He will not travel with the Raptors on an upcoming road trip to Dallas and Memphis, the team said Sunday, when Maceo Baston started in Nesterovic's place in Toronto's game against Golden State. Nesterovic was injured in the third quarter of last Wednesday's home loss to Utah, when he landed on the foot of Mehmet Okur after coming down with a rebound. Nesterovic is averaging 3.0 points and 4.

James' 40 lifts Cavs over Jazz 99-94 (AP)

LeBron James scored 40 points -- 34 in the second half -- and made a crucial block on former teammate Carlos Boozer in the final seconds Friday night to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 99-94 victory over Utah, ending a five-game winning streak by the Jazz. James, playing as he did while leading the Cavs to their first NBA finals last season, did it all.

Jazz edge Raptors on late free throws
Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 14 rebounds, Deron Williams scored 22 points, and the Utah Jazz beat the Toronto Raptors 92-88 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory. Mehmet Okur added 13 points for Utah, which got eight points and 11 rebounds from Andrei Kirilenko. Ronnie Brewer scored 12 points for the Jazz. Anthony Parker led Toronto with 19 points, while rookie Jamario Moon, making just his second career start, scored a career-high 15.

Mehmet Okur, F/C - UTA
Mehmet Okur slowed by foot pain Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.