This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Derrick Favors underwent a recent MRI in hopes of shedding some light on what is continuing to ail his the Jazz power forward's left knee that had shown no structural damage.
But another MRI, done on Wednesday morning, showed a bone contusion on his left knee, the source of the forward's discomfort the past week.
Favors will sit for Thursday's Jazz home game against the Chicago Bulls after the knee pain greatly affected Favors' play the past two games.
"It's very frustrating to Derrick," Favors' agent Wallace Prather told The Salt Lake Tribune. "Right now, this is limiting him to 20 minutes a game, and we need to find a way to get this taken care of so that he can get back to playing 30 minutes a night and playing like himself."
Because of his injury and playing status, Favors was unavailable for comment Wednesday. But the injury comes at an unfortunate time for the big man out of Georgia Tech. Favors and Prather have made it known to the Jazz they would like to work out a contract extension with Utah beyond next season, when his current deal runs out.
But, while the two sides have talked, Prather said, no deal appears imminent. For a player of Favors' tenure, his Renegotian and Extension window extends to March 31. So time isn't a factor — yet. The Jazz recently worked out a new deal with center Rudy Gobert hours before the Oct. 31 deadline.
Still, Prather acknowledged the timing of his client's knee issue has been tough.
"We know this can throw a wrench in the whole thing," the agent said.
Favors wants to play. Because his previous two games have been cut short by the soreness, the decision was made sit Favors on Thursday and let him get healthy, because the injury is impacting his play.
In last Saturday's game at Miami, Favors played six minutes, and scored six points on 3-of-3 shooting. With Luke Babbitt guarding him, Favors appeared to be on his way to a big night. But he told the training staff during his routine first quarter rest that he didn't feel right, and the Jazz didn't hesitate to shut him down for the remainder of the game.
"Not having him has hurt us," Utah forward Joe Johnson said. "It's been huge. It's a big blow to what we do, because he's a cornerstone to this team. So with him being banged up, it definitely hurts."
His absence hurt much worse on Monday night against the Grizzlies, when it was clear that he wasn't right from the opening tip.
Favors played 21 pain-filled minutes in what turned into a 102-96 loss to Memphis. Favors struggled mightily to run the floor. He didn't have his usual lift or explosion. He shot two airballs, and scored six points on 2-of-6 shooting with two rebounds.
Without Favors, and with Rudy Gobert at less than his best, the Jazz were outrebounded 44-29 by the Grizzlies. Without Favors, the Jazz were robbed of their best offensive weapon in the post. And that contributed significantly to the loss.
"Hopefully, he can get healthy," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "Obviously, there's a fine line between being sore and being and able to play, and being ineffective. He felt he was ineffective. So, until he gets healthy, it's going to be a challenge for everybody, him first and foremost."
Favors has been dealing with the injury — originally an IT Band, a runner's injury — since the beginning of training camp. He missed all of the preseason, save the opener. For the season, he's averaging 10.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, significantly down from his statistics of last year.
twitter: @tribjazz —
Favors update
• Derrick Favors missed 20 games last season with various injuries
• Favors is averaging 10.5 points per game, which would be his lowest output since 2012-2013 season.
• Favors is expected to miss Thursday's game against Chicago. —
Bulls at Jazz
P Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
Where • Vivint Smart Home Arena
TV • TNT
Radio • 97.5 FM
Records • Utah 7-5; Chicago 7-4
Season series • First meeting
Last Meeting • Chicago 92-85 (March 19, 2016)
About the Bulls • The Bulls are riding a season-high-tying three game winning streak. … Chicago has scored at least 110 points three different times this season. … Small forward Jimmy Butler scored 27 points in Chicago's 113-88 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. … The Bulls have five players averaging at least 10 points per game.
About the Jazz • Point guard George Hill is listed as questionable against the Bulls. He's missed five consecutive games with a sprained thumb. … Rudy Gobert sat the final 10:14 of Utah's loss to Memphis on Monday, scoring six points and grabbing five rebounds in 22 minutes. … Thursday marks Utah's second nationally televised game of the season. The Jazz defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on NBATV on Nov. 14.