Denver guard Allen Iverson will not play in Saturday’s outdoor game in Palm Springs, Calif.
The all-star has a left knee contusion, which he aggravated in Friday’s preseason victory against Minnesota, a game in which he scored five points and had nine assists in 23 minutes.
“It swelled up on me. I might have came back a little too fast after I got it drained,” said Iverson, who won’t make the trip. “Hopefully it won’t swell up tomorrow and have to do the draining again.
“I look at the bigger picture. I can’t start off the season struggling with an injury. I was blessed to play every game last season, and I want to do that this season.”
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who didn’t play Friday with a finger injury, is questionable for Saturday. Coach George Karl said J.R. Smith will likely start for Iverson. On Friday, Linas Kleiza started for Anthony.
Also, reserve forward Renaldo Balkman is battling an ankle injury and Karl said the player will likely take a couple days off next week.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
