Utah Jazz Hoping to Get Healthier For Match-up With Thunder

The Utah Jazz will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday after several days off. Could we see some players return from injury?

Obviously, the Utah Jazz have dealt with many injuries over the past few years. It’s just as bad now as it’s ever been; they’re currently rolling along without George Hill (toe), Rodney Hood (hamstring), Derrick Favors (knee) and Alec Burks (ankle).

However, you get the sense that some of these guys are closing in on a return to the court. Hill says his toe is improving, it has been rumored that Favors is getting close, etc. Meanwhile, Alec Burks, who hasn’t played a single game yet this season, is working hard and going through some drills.

I fully expect Hood to play on Wednesday. He aggravated his hamstring injury recently, but with three days rest, he should be good to go. If not, Joe Ingles and Joe Johnson have done a great job in his place.

Getting these guys back will only bolster the offense, but the Jazz attack has been very good as of late despite their absence. Bench players have really embraced the ‘next man up’ mentality. Ingles, Johnson, Shelvin Mack, Trey Lyles, etc., have all done a good job of filling in under difficult circumstances.

As a result, the team currently stands at 15-10. With all the injuries they’ve dealt with, Jazz fans have to be happy with that record.

Still, the lineup of Hill, Hood and Favors with Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert has played just 12 total minutes this season. I can’t wait to see what this team can do when fully healthy.

As Jazz fans know, every game counts towards your playoff push. One game makes a difference; the Jazz missed the playoffs by one game last season. They need to get healthy sooner rather than later to avoid another one-game scenario in the standings.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, who the Jazz will face off against on Wednesday, is a team that will be close to Utah in the standings all year long. The Thunder beat the Celtics on Sunday and hold just a half-game lead over the Jazz for sixth in the Western Conference. A healthy squad and a big win could pay huge dividends down the road.