Dallas – The NBA gave the Nuggets an early Christmas present that they may never open.
The Nuggets were awarded a $5.2 million injured player’s exception Friday for losing forward Kenyon Martin to a knee injury for the season. Denver has 45 days to use the exception, which likely will be postdated to Nov. 15, when Martin had season-ending right knee microfracture surgery. The Nuggets could use the injured player’s exception in a trade or to acquire a player off waivers. But since Denver is over the salary cap and has a maximum 15 roster players, the exception probably will not be used.
“It’s like having an extra club in your golf bag,” Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said.
Buckner visits
Mavericks guard Greg Buckner came by the Nuggets’ locker room before Saturday’s game to visit with his former teammates. Buckner played for Denver from 2004-06 and averaged 6.5 points in 143 games.
“I miss my teammates,” Buckner said. “We had some good times there. I felt that I left there with some unfinished business because we had an opportunity to do some special things.”
Buckner signed a five-year, $18 million contract with Dallas to join the Western Conference champions and also be in the same city as his fiancée and two children. Buckner entered Saturday averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 assists in 16.6 minutes.
Footnotes
The Nuggets’ charter plane didn’t arrive in Dallas until about 3 a.m. Saturday morning, waiting in Denver nearly 45 minutes before departing so coach George Karl could retrieve a personal item. …
Probably the most intriguing pre-game topic was about where Philly star Allen Iverson would be dealt. Karl declined to discuss Denver’s potential interest, but didn’t sound pressed to push for a move.
“We all like our team right now,” Karl said. “We’re excited about our pieces.”…
Nuggets forward Joe Smith missed his fifth game with a sprained right ankle. … Forward Reggie Evans missed his second game with strep throat and was expected to arrive in Dallas Saturday night. …
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton visited the Mavericks’ locker room before the game.
“(The Mavericks) made it tough on me tonight. Shots I normally make I didn’t make. It’s nothing to put my head down about.”
Carmelo Anthony, who scored 18 points, his second- lowest point total this season
