Carlos Boozer

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Boozer's journey to Utah began after a controversial free agency exit from Cleveland, where he signed a six-year, $70 million deal with the Jazz on July 30, 2004. His early years were marred by injuries; in his first season (2004–05), missing time due to injury contributed to Utah missing the playoffs for only the second time in 22 years. Owner Larry Miller publicly criticized a lack of effort during that stretch. However, Boozer returned from hamstring issues in late February 2006 and finished strong, averaging over 20 points and almost 10 rebounds per game. The partnership with Deron Williams defined the era. In the 2006–07 season, Boozer won the Western Conference Player of the Week Award early on and helped the Jazz win eleven of their first twelve games. Although he missed his All-Star appearance that year due to a hairline fracture in his left fibula, he delivered historic performances later, scoring 41 points against the Houston Rockets on April 23, 2007. He led Utah past the Rockets in a Game 7, scoring 35 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to secure their first playoff series win since the dynasty era. The Jazz advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1998, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

In Their Own Story

The 2006–07 season culminated in a dramatic Game 7 against the Houston Rockets on April 23, 2007. Boozer scored 41 points that night, tying his career high set just weeks prior against the Washington Wizards. In that decisive victory, he added 14 rebounds and hit two clutch free throws to seal the series win. The momentum carried them through a second-round sweep of the Golden State Warriors, sending the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals. There, Boozer proved durable despite facing the experienced San Antonio Spurs, averaging 23.5 points and 12.2 rebounds across all 17 playoff games. By November 2007, he was named Western Conference Player of the Month and finished with a career-first triple-double against the Seattle SuperSonics on February 13, 2008, recording 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The following year brought challenges; arthroscopic left knee surgery caused him to miss 44 games from late November 2008 to late February 2009. Facing free agency, he surprised many by opting into his final season with the Jazz in 2009–10, where he shot a career-high 56.2% from the field while averaging 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds.

Reader's Guide

Boozer's time in Utah was defined by specific statistical peaks and dramatic playoff moments. Fans should note his 41-point game on April 23, 2007, which tied his career high, and his Game 7 heroics against the Rockets that same year. His consistency was highlighted in the 2006–07 season when he averaged 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds over 74 games. Key turning points include his injury-shortened rookie campaign in Utah (2004–05) and his return from hamstring issues in February 2006, where he immediately became an All-Star caliber player again. His first career triple-double came on February 13, 2008, against the Seattle SuperSonics. While injuries derailed parts of his tenure, such as missing nearly half the 2008–09 season, his decision to opt-in for 2009–10 showcased his commitment before his eventual trade to Chicago on July 8, 2010. He was a two-time All-Star reserve during his Jazz career. In 2007, he could not participate in the game due to injury but was named part of the roster. In 2008, he played 19 minutes, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as a backup.

Did You Know?

• Boozer registered his first career triple-double on February 13, 2008, with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Seattle SuperSonics.
• In Game 7 of the 2007 playoffs against the Houston Rockets, Boozer scored 41 points to tie his career high.
• Boozer missed 44 games during the 2008–09 season due to arthroscopic left knee surgery before opting into his final year with Utah.
• He was named Western Conference Player of the Month in November 2007 after helping the Jazz start the season strong.
• Boozer shot a career-high 56.2% from the field during the 2009–10 season, his final year with the Jazz.