LOS ANGELES — After four inspiring appearances, Nene has missed the past two games because of a right groin strain. The Nuggets power forward underwent an MRI before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, and though it revealed only a muscle strain, the cautious Nuggets staff kept Nene out of the game at the Staples Center.
Nene missed 22 games this season because of a left thumb injury and missed 37 after undergoing the removal of a testicular tumor. He returned to the court March 27, but never played more than 11 minutes. Then came the injury.
“We were shooting for 10, 15 minutes (per game), and moving that up to 15, 20, so this probably slows down that process,” Denver coach George Karl said. “His minutes he has played for us have been pretty good. There’s a presence and a spirit to when he plays — we get excited that he’s back, that he’s with us. And now we don’t have him. Now there’s a little bit of a hole there. If you have a thin line, you feel it.”
Tough opponent.
Entering the game, the Nuggets’ record against the Clippers since 2000-01 was 3-11. And the Nuggets hadn’t had a winning season against the Clippers since going 3-1 in 1999-2000.
It’s all about rhythm.
At times, reserve guard Yakhouba Diawara is one of Denver’s top defenders. But he is seldom one of Denver’s top offensive players. That said, the Nuggets’ defense had been awful entering the game against the Clippers. But when Karl was asked whether Diawara might get a few minutes to jolt the defense, Karl said: “I don’t think I’m going that far. The rhythm of the team is short rotation. Long rotation would break the rhythm of the team.”
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
