22-year old starting small forward C.J. Miles reptured a ligament in his left thumb which will require immediate surgery and cause him to be out indefinately. Miles played in 72 games (all starts) for the Jazz last season and he averaged 22.5 minutes, 9.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He has now played in 192 games (98 starts) in his four years with the Utah Jazz in which he has averaged 15.0 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. This is a bad break for Miles who was finally starting to earn good minutes for the Jazz.

Andrei Kirilenko is out indefinately with a fractured left thumb.  He could possibly return at some point in the playoffs if the Jazz get by the Houston Rockets.  Kirilenko had a disappointing season for the Jazz.  He played in 68 games and averaged 29.5 minutes, 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.0 blocks per game.  The Jazz really need Kirilenko back because of his defensive ability.

Carlos Boozer will miss 4-5 weeks with a hairline fracture to his left fibula.  The Jazz will have a hard time replacing the 22.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists that Boozer was averaging this season.  Look for rookie Paul Millsap to get most of the minutes and Matt Harpring to get some of them too. 

Guard Gordon Giricek (tendonitis in Achilles) and Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) will each miss a few games.  Rookie Ronnie Brewer will start in Kirilenko’s spot.  Also look for Matt Harpring to get alot of extra minutes to cover for Giricek and Kirilenko.

Milt Palacio is out indefinately while he is recovering from knee surgery.  This will hurt the team a little, because I’m sure he could have showed Deron Williams a few tricks.