The Nuggets' treatment room was full Wednesday. It's not the sight anyone in the organization cares to see, but it's the reality in which they live.
Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Andersen, Nene and Ty Lawson are the main concerns, but Anthony Carter also limped out of the Pepsi Center with ice bags covering various joints on his lower body.
The Nuggets are banged up. But Billups offered a glimmer of hope when he participated in an abbreviated practice Wednesday and then pronounced himself fit to play Friday night against Cleveland.
The veteran point guard has missed eight of the Nuggets' past nine games and admitted he probably pushed himself to return too fast, causing a setback.
"I made a point to definitely be smart with this one," Billups said. "I came back a little premature at Christmas. Thought it felt good, but obviously it wasn't ready. I think I took it a lot more seriously this time." Billups also said he'll be fit to get through the injury mentally. "Any injury that you have, the mental aspect is going to play a big role in it," he said. "You have the confidence to know that you can do the same move that got you hurt. I've been working extremely hard. I feel good going side to side, as well as 'north and south.' " Anthony went through a light workout Wednesday. The star forward has missed three consecutive games with a bruised right knee, and it's still unclear whether he will play Friday. "I thought Melo was being conservative," coach George Karl said. "He's definitely making sure he felt comfortable. I don't think he pushed it as much as Chauncey did." Lawson said he's still iffy for Friday's game. He sprained his left ankle during Tuesday's 123-122 victory against Golden State and went through a day of treatment Wednesday. "It feels all right," Lawson said. "It feels a lot better than Tuesday." Lawson has been a bright spot in Billups' absence. With more than 30 minutes of playing time in each of the past three games, Lawson responded, averaging 22.3 points, 8.6 assists and 1.3 steals. Andersen's sprained left ankle did not allow him to dress for the Golden State contest. He will likely miss Friday's game too. However, he did get rid of a protective boot Wednesday that he had worn for the past few days. Nene has a sprained right ankle, but vows to play against the Cavs. The bevy of fallen Nuggets has given others the chance to shine, and Joey Graham and Malik Allen took full advantage Tuesday night. Graham scored 20 points in 29 minutes, and Allen finished with six points in 22 minutes. "You never like this amount of injuries," Karl said. "But I'm a big believer that if you continue to win and survive, it can make your team better and stronger."
Posts
