An exam of Jazz reserve forward Donyell Marshall's left knee on Sunday revealed what was expected: A sprain. The MRI test indicated a moderately sprained collateral ligament in the joint, a Jazz spokesman said Sunday.
The team is listing Marshall as doubtful for its game against Toronto on Tuesday night at the Delta Center. His status for the remaining four games of a five-game homestand is uncertain, though the Jazz had no immediate plans to put Marshall on the injured list (which requires a mandatory minimum stay of five games).
Marshall, a key sub in the regular rotation of Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, was hurt on a non-contact play while defending Jamal Mashburn in the third quarter of Utah's 94-89 loss at Charlotte on Saturday night.
When it happened, the injury was initially thought perhaps to be much more serious. When Marshall was seen by doctors in the visitors' locker room at Charlotte Coliseum, however, they suspected it was only a sprain and not a tear or rupture.
On Sunday, swelling in the knee was down, and Marshall was no longer using the crutches he needed to leave the arena on Saturday.
Marshall has no history of major surgery on his left knee, according to the Jazz, though he has had bone spurs removed from the joint.
Team doctors planned to re-examine Marshall on Monday, the spokesman said.
E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com