The Utah Jazz are right in the middle of a playoff race as they are 28-28 and sit in the eighth spot in the Western Conference. The Jazz are just a half-game ahead of the Houston Rockets for that final playoff spot but they have fluttered a bit as they have lost three of five since winning seven in a row. The Jazz could use some reinforcements and it looks like they will be getting them in the form of Alec Burks who is expected back soon, according to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
Burks underwent ankle surgery towards the end of December and has been out ever since. The Jazz never did place an official timetable on Burks but there were reports stating that 8-10 weeks was the expected amount of time he would miss. Burks just passed the eight week mark in his recovery and it seems as though his return will likely be within that timeline.
Burks was out of his walking boot at the beginning of February and recently he has started to ramp up his activity in practices. The Jazz, again, have not given an official update on Burks but the reports state that he should be back within the next couple of weeks.
The Jazz really need Burks back too because they could use a big-time scorer off the bench. Before going down with the injury Burks was averaging 14.3 points per game which was the second most in the NBA among bench players. That type of production is hard to make up for but Trey Burke, Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood did their best to fill the hole. Still though, Jake Larson of isportweb believes that his absence has been felt in a big way.
Burke specifically was a big key to filling in for Burks as Utah's main scorer off the bench but he has struggled recently and could clearly use Burks back in the lineup. Burks was in the middle of a career year before going down yet the Jazz have handled his absence, and a host of other injuries, extremely well considering where they are in the standings. It seems as though they should be getting their full team back healthy for the stretch run which is perfect timing.
