WASHINGTON — The Nuggets’ plan was to slowly bring back Kenyon Martin, allowing the forward to rest his knee in the first games of back-to-backs. But the caveat was that Nene would be available to play power forward during those games. Nene sprained his left thumb on Wednesday in Boston and travelled back to Denver for tests today, so the Nuggets decided they will play Martin in their next game, Friday at the Washington Wizards.
Nene will not be available for the Wizards game or the game the following night at the Indiana Pacers.
In Wednesday’s debacle at Boston, Martin looked “rusty” according to coach George Karl, but overall “I thought he was pretty good, actually,” Karl said of one of the team’s few bright spots.
Martin started the game, and had 12 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. Martin was the lone Denver starter who remained in the game late, playing with and against reserves.
“I thought he brought energy as a starter,” Karl said, “and he stayed in the game and got the second unit to play hard, play defense. I think he’s rusty in some of his ball-handling decisions, and I think he’ll finish better around the basket once he gets a little more continuity and consistency.”
This season, Martin has averaged 8.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes.
A former all-star, Martin missed 80 games last season due to his knee injury, but looked impressive and fit during this preseason. The 29-year-old Martin has career averages of 14.8 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Nene, meanwhile, has averaged 6.4 points per game and 5.2 rebounds in 19.4 minutes.
“His post presence, his defense — we’re really going to miss him,” forward Carmelo Anthony said.
The Nuggets are already without three other players, all guards. It’s possible reserve Mike Wilks (hamstring) could return for the weekend back-to-back. Reserve Anthony Carter had his cast removed this week from fractured right hand, and he hopes to return sometime during Nov. 10-20. And Chucky Atkins, penciled in as the starting point guard in the preseason, is out with a groin injury for possibly six more weeks.
“We’re snake-bit,” Anthony said earlier this week, even before the Nene injury.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
