There is a chance Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins will suit up for the first time this season and play tonight against the Houston Rockets, coach George Karl said this morning.
“I think that’s what we’re leaning towards,” Karl said.
Atkins went through additional drills after the team’s shootaround and was scheduled to meet with Karl in the afternoon to update the coach on how he felt for the 8:30 p.m. tipoff. If he does suit up, Karl said Atkins would play the guard.
A roster spot was created Wednesday when the Nuggets waived forward Jelani McCoy.
“Right now, I think if we dress him, we’re probably going to play him,” Karl said.
The Nuggets signed Atkins to a two-year guaranteed contract with a third-year option in the summer, looking to bolster their 3-point shooting. He has missed the entire season battling a severely strained right groin.
Meanwhile, the Rockets may be without star guard Tracy McGrady. McGrady was removed from Houston’s game Wednesday night at halftime because of a sore left knee, which he bruised Saturday against Dallas.
Karl downplayed McGrady’s potential absence, saying the Nuggets biggest concern after two straight losses is how they play.
“Our whole thing is we’re at a stage where we’re much more worried about ourselves,” Karl said. “We had a tough two losses and we want to play better. That’s the goal, to bounce back here in the middle of Christmas season, and start playing better basketball than we did (against) San Antonio and Portland.”
