Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors may not play vs. Wolves

Gordon Hayward expects to return from a hip flexor injury Tuesday night against Minnesota, but teammate Derrick Favors might miss the game.

Favors has a strained abductor and did not participate in the morning shootaround. The status of the Jazz's starting center will be a game-time decision, according to a team spokesman.

Favors averages 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds. He has played in 40 of the Jazz's first 42 games, all as a starter.

"I"m a competitive person," Favors said. "I'm always ready to play. At the same time, I have to listen to my body and listen to the trainers. It's a long season."

Asked if the Jazz's injury situation that now includes Favors is "frustrating," teammate Trey Burke said, "It's not frustrating. Obviously it's unfortunate for us. But we're all doing what we can do to stay healthy. ... If he does play tonight, that would great. If he doesn't we have to find ways to move on without him."

Hayward has not played since scoring 37 points in a 112-101 win over Oklahoma City on Jan. 7. He practiced Sunday and Monday, however, before participating in the shootaround.

"I felt good," Hayward said. "... Hopefully I'll be ready."