Andrei Kirilenko (back) will miss another game on Friday. It sounds like he's getting close but still isn't ready to play through his lingering back problems. And when he does play, the clock will be ticking on how long he can actually stay healthy.

Andrei Kirilenko (back spasms) will not play in Wednesday's matinee. The short-handed Nets will stick with their recent starting lineup of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Alan Anderson, Mirza Teletovic and Kevin Garnett, with Paul Pierce coming off the bench. Kirilenko remains day-to-day.

Andrei Kirilenko (back) will not play on Monday night. He was hoping to make it back in time fro Christmas, so that's still a possibility. Kirilenko admitted his back spasms are the worst he's ever dealt with in his career, which suggests he will likely have issues in the future this year. AK-47 does have some upside with the Nets banged up, but it's not going to be easy to own him.

Andrei Kirilenko (back) returned to practice on Sunday, setting the stage for a possible return on Monday or Wednesday. Kirilenko hasn't played since Nov. 8 and his minutes may be limited during his first few games, which adds risk to his already murky return date. Even if he doesn't play vs. Indiana on Monday, his imminent return is terrific news for the Nets' frontcourt. Brooklyn ranks 24th in rebounding rate and 28th in defensive efficiency, two areas they hope AK can help shore up.

Andrei Kirilenko (back) was present for non-contact drills during a workout on Thursday. Kirilenko is doubtful to play against the 76ers on Friday, but could possibly suit up sometime next week. Kirilenko's propensity to miss games is the major reason that fantasy owners need not concern themselves with when he'll play next, but his lack of production (5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game this season) doesn't bode well for his fantasy prospects even if he were to stay healthy.

Andrei Kirilenko (back) said he's hopeful to begin practicing with the team by Christmas. Kirilenko said his back spasms have been the worst he's ever experienced. He has been out since Nov. 8 and there is no word on when he'll be able to return to the lineup for game action. If when he does eventually make it back, fantasy owners shouldn't be too excited about it given how frequently his back goes out on him.

Andrei Kirilenko (back spasms) posted a picture of himself shooting on the Nets' practice court on Saturday, but there is still no clear date for his return. AK said on Friday that he's about "ten days" away from playing, which sets him up for a possible return on Christmas Day. Jason Kidd suggested that AK might be out until January and fantasy owners should simply monitor the situation from a safe distance.

The Nets have "no update" on Andrei Kirilenko (back) and he may not return in December, according to Jason Kidd. "If [Kirilenko] comes back in 2013, that'd be great," Kidd said. "If he comes back in 2014 that's OK, too." AK's season is rapidly become a disaster for the Nets and fantasy owners alike, and he belongs on the waiver wire until we've seen him on the court.

Andrei Kirilenko (back) will miss Thursday's game against the Knicks. Kirilenko is still without a return timetable, but it speaks volumes about his status that the injury-riddled Nets are being cautious with his balky back. Even though the Nets badly need Kirilenko in their lineup now that Paul Pierce is out for at least two weeks, it seems as if they'd like to avoid any long-term setbacks by playing it safe with the 32-year-old. Until he is able to show that he can suit up (and stay healthy), AK-47 isn't worth a spot on any fantasy rosters.

Andrei Kirilenko's back feels better but he remains without a timetable to return. "We're trying to bring guys back when they are 100 percent, not when they feel good or they're in and out," said Jason Kidd. "That happened with [Kirilenko] once before, so we're going to make sure he's 100 percent." Kirilenko's absence is one reason for the Nets' sluggish start this season, and his return is more crucial than ever with Paul Pierce (hand) on the shelf for up to a month.