DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks forward Troy Murphy missed Friday's practice with an upper respiratory illness that kept him out of most of Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said the club will see how Murphy feels Saturday before determining whether he's available for the game against the Los Angeles Lakers, but club officials said Murphy was able to work out a little bit and felt better.
Murphy, 32, started Wednesday in place of Elton Brand. It was the first time Brand hadn't started this season. Murphy played 18 minutes in the first half before exiting with the illness. He was 0-for-3 shooting with five rebounds and had no points.
Murphy is averaging 5.3 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game so far this season. He has seen his minutes steadily increase and is now averaging 19.4 per game.
