Jazz's Kirilenko misses practice — visa problem
Russian has difficulty returning to Utah one day before Game 6 vs. Lakers
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SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko missed practice Thursday because of a travel visa, a day before Utah faced the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Agent Marc Fleisher said Kirilenko had to finalize a travel visa for a family trip to France this summer and Thursday was the only day he could do it without having to wait another month. Fleisher said Kirilenko, who is a Russian citizen, told the Jazz ahead of time about the conflict and was given permission to miss practice.
Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor said Kirilenko told coach Jerry Sloan he had an appointment for the visa that had been scheduled for weeks. Kirilenko was still expected to start Friday night.
The Jazz returned to Utah early Thursday after a 111-104 loss in Los Angeles, putting the Lakers up 3-2 in the series.
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