Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic will miss Sunday's game against the Kings as he attends to a family matter.

It is not clear whether Stojakovic will be able to join New Orleans for Tuesday night's game at the Lakers.

Stojakovic is averaging 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season.

The Hornets are thinking about giving Julian Wright some minutes at power forward this season.

Wright hasn't been getting much time at small forward due to the resurgence of Peja Stojakovic. In addition, James Posey has improved off the bench as well.

"He (Wright) is in the development stage, but we're looking for ways to use his strengths," coach/general manager Jeff Bower said.

"Positioning is something we like with flexibility. Julian can provide different things, and he can play the four in certain schemes."

Hornets forward David West isn't worried about his less-than-stellar statistics this season.

West was excited when general manager Jeff Bower took over as the team's coach earlier this month because he thought it would make the team's offense less predictable.

However, he's struggled with his shot as of late.

"My confidence is always going to be where it is supposed to be," West said. "I'm not scoring to the numbers that I'm accustomed to, but I'm not worried. We're trying to do some different things, but from a team standpoint, I'm more concerned about us moving closer in the right direction."

West is averaging 15.3 points on 43.8% shooting this season, his lowest numbers since his second NBA campaign.

Hornets rookie point guard has seen an increase in playing time since Chris Paul went down with an ankle injury.

Luckily for Collison, Paul has been right there with him through practices and games offering guidance.

"I'm trying to take everything in he says every day," Collison said. "It might be a lot of information, but he's one of the best point guards, and he's definitely been a blessing. I'm appreciative of everything he's told me."

Collison, who is averaging 9.9 points and 3.7 assists this season, has seen his numbers spike as of late.

In his last fives games, all starts, the rookie is averaging 14 points and 6.4 assists.

As of that weren't enough, the Hornets have gone 3-2 in those five games. They began the season with a 3-7 record.

"I try to talk to him all the time, and it's like I can never say enough," Paul said. "You only get one rookie year, and you have take full advantage of it. In this league, you see all type of different things, and you see some guys that play harder and see some who let the game come to them. I just try to tell him to be you and always play as hard as you can."

Hornets rookie guard Marcus Thornton has emerged as a potent scorer as of late.

The Heat dealt Thornton's rights to the Hornets on draft night for two future second-round picks in a prearranged deal.

"He's having a heck of a stretch right now," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He's athletic. He's making plays. He's aggressive."

Thornton, playing against the Heat on Sunday, scored 24 points in 38 minutes.

Hornets point guard Chris Paul is no longer walking with the aid of a plastic boot on his injured right ankle.

He severely sprained the ankle on Nov. 13 against the Trail Blazers.

Paul attended the team's shootaround on Saturday and was wearing a regular shoe during the team's two weekend games.

"I still don't know," Paul said of a timetable for his return. "(Saturday) was my first day without the boot. As long as I'm walking, I'm good."

Hornets forward Ike Diogu will sit out another two weeks to rest his strained left knee.

"Unfortunately, we have to give it more time," Diogu said. "They'll try me in another two weeks. It's total rest. That's the best thing for my body right now, just resting, and see if that works.

"The ligaments and everything are good, so it's just a matter of just resting it. There's no swelling. There?s some pain in there. We just want to try and settle everything down. That's the main thing."

Diogu, who signed with New Orleans has a free agent this past offseason, suffered the injury during a summer weightlifting session.

"I looked at this for me as a big year and a big opportunity," Diogu said. "It's tough, but it's one of those things where it's out of your control."

There have been rumors that the Hornets are willing to trade anyone not named Chris Paul, but sources have strongly denied any possible moves.

Those sources told the Times-Picayune that New Orleans plans to stick with their current group to see what they can accomplish.

The Hornets could certainly be active around February's trade deadline, but nothing is expected in the meantime.

The Hornets, Jazz and Lakers were victorious in a rare Thursday night three-game slate.

- New Orleans 110, Phoenix 103

Team FIC Differential: Hornets -0.1, Suns +0.1

The New Orleans Hornets (5-8) earned an impressive win over the Phoenix Suns (8-3) on Thursday night. Peja Stojakovic starred with 25 points and 13 rebounds, Emeka Okafor posted 13 points and 12 boards and Darren Collison added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. New Orleans hit just 40% of their shots, but outrebounded Phoenix by 18. Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and five rebounds, Steven Nash tallied 13 points and 10 assists and Channing Frye contributed 11 points and 10 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans ? 21.8

Jared Dudley, Phoenix ? 17.0

Emeka Okafor, New Orleans ? 15.5

Steve Nash, Phoenix ? 15.0

- Utah 90, San Antonio 83

Team FIC Differential: Jazz +12.4, Spurs -12.4

The Utah Jazz (6-6) got their first win in San Antonio in 10 years by beating the San Antonio Spurs (4-6) at the AT&T Center. Deron Williams led with 21 points and 10 assists, Carlos Boozer tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Millsap totaled 20 points and seven boards off the bench. Utah held San Antonio to 42% shooting and turned the ball over just nine times. Tim Duncan had 21 points and nine rebounds, George Hill scored 18 points on 17 shots and Richard Jefferson put up 16 points and six boards for the struggling Spurs.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio ? 18.5

Deron Williams, Utah ? 16.8

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah ? 15.4

Carlos Boozer, Utah ? 13.8

- L.A. Lakers 108, Chicago 93

Team FIC Differential: Lakers +14.4, Bulls -14.4

Pau Gasol returned and helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers (9-3) over the Chicago Bulls (6-5) on Thursday evening. Lamar Odom had 11 points and eight rebounds, Kobe Bryant posted 21 points, nine boards and eight assists and Gasol totaled 24 points and 13 rebounds in the victory. Both teams shot 45% from the floor, but Los Angeles won the rebounding battle by seven and committed fewer turnovers. Derrick Rose had 20 points and six assists, Joakim Noah tallied 12 points and 15 rebounds and John Salmons scored 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor.

Game FIC Scores

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles ? 22.5

Joakim Noah, Chicago ? 18.4

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles ? 15.8

Ron Artest, Los Angeles ? 14.6

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

The New Orleans Hornets unveiled special Mardi Gras uniforms on Wednesday.

The uniforms will be worn annually during the Mardi Gras season and will feature designs inspired by the city of New Orleans and the Carnival tradition.

?The Mardi Gras celebration is one of the most elaborate and important traditions to our hometown of New Orleans, and we want to recognize and celebrate this special time of year with new Mardi Gras uniforms on the court,? said Hornets Owner George Shinn. ?We are excited to begin this annual celebration and remain committed to incorporating our Hornets family into the fabric of New Orleans traditions.?