LOS ANGELES — Doc Rivers, who’s had more than his fair share of injuries to key players, feels the Utah Jazz’s pain when it comes to Gordon Hayward’s broken finger.

“He’s great. He’s just a heck of a basketball player,” the Clippers coach said. “When you lose a guy like that — some guys just do one thing, you know, well he does so many things for them: scores, passes, rebounds, defends.”

The timing, Rivers added, isn’t ideal. Sure, it’s better than an injury during a playoff race or series, but it’s rough having a key guy sidelined as the team’s trying to come together in the exhibition season.

“It’s tough when you lose your best player at any point, so that’s a tough one,” Rivers said before Monday’s preseason game at the Staples Center. “And I always thought it’s really tough to lose your best player in camp because you’re trying to put in your stuff.

“Even though you put it in, it’s a different look when your best guy’s not in there when you’re doing it, so that’s a tough break.”

Literally, it is. Hayward broke the ring finger on his left hand during Friday’s practice and could be out for as many as six weeks.

STILL CRUSHING: Rivers was surprised when a reporter asked him about the Jazz not having a star player on their roster.

“You don’t think Gordon Hayward’s a star?” Rivers responded. “I do.”

Rivers chuckled as he reminded media about his admiration for the Jazz’s versatile small forward.

“Last year I said I have a man crush on Gordon. I really like him,” Rivers said. “I do think he’s a star.”

Rivers related the burden Hayward has had on his shoulders as the lead player on a young, inexperienced and shallow team with an experience he dealt with earlier in his coaching career.

“I think it’s been a heavy load for him. I coached in Orlando and we had Tracy McGrady and Grant (Hill) got hurt,” Rivers recalled. “You realize when there’s one guy, that’s a heavy load. Everyone says they want their (own) team. You hear that around the league. No one wants their team. They want a lot of players on their team. I think the more they keep adding, the better he’ll get.”

NO SHOOTAROUND: For the second time in three preseason games, the Jazz canceled their game-day shootaround session ahead of Monday’s contest against the Clippers.

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Jazz coach Quin Snyder said it was merely circumstantial and not a new trend.

“We’ve been going really hard in practice,” Snyder said. “You want your team at certain times to have a little bounce and to be fresh so in a game you get a chance to evaluate more.”

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