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Starting small forward Marvin Williams will miss at least three games due to inflammation in his right knee, the team announced Tuesday.

The first-year Jazz forward left Monday's 100-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter and, though the team said he was available, did not return. Acquired in an offseason trade for Devin Harris, Williams was expected to play for the first time against his former team on Friday, when the Jazz play in Atlanta in their second game of a three-game road trip.

After saying late Monday that he expected to play Wednesday at Charlotte, Williams missed an early practice to receive treatment on his knee from team orthopedist Dr. Lyle Mason. He will travel with the Jazz on the upcoming trip, but will not be available to play as team personnel evaluates how his knee responds to treatment.

The 26-year-old has struggled since joining the Jazz, his career averages dipping to 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. However, he has been a key defender and timely shooter.

The Jazz are 0-4 in games without Williams, who was sidelined in late November and early December by concussion-like symptoms.

Williams did not dress for the Jazz's Dec. 30 loss against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Team doctors hoped to reduce inflammation in his knee with that break, and Williams said swelling did go down. Approached at his locker Monday night, Williams said he would be fine and that his knee had just begun to swell.

He finished the game with 3 points in 16 minutes.

— Bill Oram