He was listed as a game-time decision due to an upper respiratory infection.
But John Stockton, never one to skip a game if he could walk and talk, scoffed at the notion that he came close to missing the Jazz's 98-90 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at the Delta Center."From my standpoint," Stockton said, "it was never a question."
Stockton did miss practice Tuesday due to the illness, which left him with a still-raspy, but audible, voice. But it certainly did not seem to affect the way he played, as he scored 17 points and added 11 assists in 30 minutes.
The veteran Jazz guard did, however, make an unplanned trip to the trainer's room Wednesday.
He took four stitches to close a cut under his chin, sustained during a midcourt collision with Knicks guard Chris Childs. Childs, who drew the blocking foul, did not fair much better: He needed four stitches to close a laceration on the side of his head.
HORNACEK OK: The Jazz trainer's room was a busy place Wednesday.
Also paying a visit was Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek, who was treated during the second half for a mild sprain of his right ankle. Hornacek returned to finish the game and finished with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field.
ROOF OK: On the first rainy night of the season in Salt Lake City, fears that Wednesday's game might be delayed due to a slight leak in the roof at the Delta Center were alleviated after a wet spot on the court was sufficiently dried.
A team spokesman said the roof is still under repair following the offseason tornado damage sustained by the arena, and a final layer of protective membrane is still being applied to the surface of the roof. A ballboy stood guard to keep an eye on the wet spot, and no delays were incurred during the game.
BIG MAN, BIG PRAISE: Plaudits continue to pour in regarding Jazz center Greg Ostertag, who appears to be playing like a new man compared to seasons past.
And it is even coming from the other side.
"Ostertag was big in keeping some rebounds that we should have had alive, and giving their squad a second opportunity to make baskets," Knicks forward Latrell Sprewell said.
"He is a good center," Knicks said Andrew Lang said defensively, in response to a question aimed at diminishing Ostertag's value.
Even Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy went out of his way to praise Ostertag, who pulled down eight rebounds in 21 minutes: "He's a great offensive rebounder," Van Gundy said. "He's a legit 7-3, and he's active."
Apparently Ostertag is playing so well that he appears even taller than he really is, because he is actually 7-foot-2. Then again, everyone must seem tall to Van Gundy, who generously claims to be 5-9.
YOU PICK 'EM: Karl Malone, John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek and Bryon Russell of the Jazz are all candidates on the ballot for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, scheduled Feb. 13 in Oakland. Fans at the Delta Center got their first chance to vote Wednesday night, as balloting has opened in all 29 NBA arenas, online at NBA.com (www.nba.com) and at movie theaters throughout the United States and Canada. Voting ends Jan. 16, 2000.
MISC.: Wednesday's attendance was 18,890, the smallest crowd to watch the Jazz at the Delta Center in 20 games. . . . The Jazz's 60 first-half points are the most they have scored since getting 62 in the second half of a Feb. 15 game against Sacramento. . . . The Jazz out-rebounded the Knicks 46-36, marking the second straight game in which Utah has out-rebounded its opponent by 13 or more. Against San Antonio on Monday, the Jazz pulled down 46 to the Spurs' 31.