SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Gordon Hayward sat out his second consecutive game for the Utah Jazz on Monday night because of a left hip injury.
Alec Burks was set to start in Hayward’s place against the Denver Nuggets. The third-year guard was averaging 12.2 points this season.
Hayward, who leads Utah in scoring at 17.1 points per game, is day to day and planned to accompany the team on its upcoming three-game road trip starting Wednesday in San Antonio.
The swingman scored a career-high 37 points, including the last 17 for the Jazz, in a win over Oklahoma City last Tuesday but strained his left hip flexor late in the game. His absence was felt as Cleveland snapped Utah’s four-game home winning streak on Friday, 113-102.
Hayward had 30 points and a career-best 13 rebounds in a 103-93 road win over Denver on Dec. 13.
Marvin Williams, Utah’s regular starter at power forward, was fighting flu-like symptoms but the Jazz planned to have him on the court for the opening tip.
In addition to long-term injuries to Danilo Gallinari (left knee) and JaVale McGee (left leg), the Nuggets were without reserve forwards Darrell Arthur (left groin) and Anthony Randolph (left ankle).
Fellow reserve Wilson Chandler has been battling a left hip strain and missed Denver’s previous two games. Chandler’s hip has improved, however, and there was a chance he would play against the Jazz.
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