Greg Ostertag and Donyell Marshall have had better weeks, but considering the circumstances, both are doing better than they might be.
Ostertag left the Jazz's victory over Vancouver on Thursday with just more than three minutes remaining and nine rebounds to his credit.
The Jazz's 7-foot-2 reserve center fell hard to the floor and stayed there for several minutes after being rejected on a dunk attempt by both Bryant Reeves and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Ostertag was struck across the back of the neck, which was already sore from his battles with Kevin Willis during Utah's win over Toronto on Tuesday, by one of the Grizzlies.
He eventually got up and walked off under his own power. Later he said he felt a whiplash-like sensation on the left side of his neck. Ostertag is, however, expected to be ready for the Jazz's game against Golden State on Saturday night.
Marshall, meanwhile, returned to the Jazz lineup on Thursday night against Vancouver. He missed Tuesday's game while recovering from a moderately sprained collateral ligament in his left knee, suffered during Utah's loss at Charlotte on Saturday night.
Marshall finished with 7 points in 14 limited minutes against the Grizzlies and should be good to go against Golden State, his former team.
SMALL CROWD: Attendance Thursday was 17,958, marking the third time — but also the third time in 10 games this season — that the Jazz have failed to fill the Delta Center with more than at least 18,000.
TOYS FOR TOTS: Jazz fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to home games on Monday (vs. San Antonio) and Wednesday (vs. Milwaukee) to aid the annual Toys for Tots drive. Toys also can be taken to the Jazz office prior to Dec. 13. Those who help will be eligible for a drawing to win an autographed team ball.
MISC.:Karl Malone played in his 1,209th career game Thursday, moving past Dale Ellis and into 10th place on the league's list of regular-season games played. . . . John Stockton's 13 points and 13 assists leave him seven points shy of 17,000 in his career and 27 assists short of 14,000. . . . Guard Jacque Vaughn's rejection of a Mike Bibby jumper was his second block of the season — and just the third of his four-season NBA career.
E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com