CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Denver power forward Kenyon Martin is “50-50” for tonight’s game at the Bobcats, Nuggets coach George Karl said following the morning shootaround.
Martin has a sprained wrist and will test it before tonight’s 5 p.m. game. Though Karl does worry about the lack of depth in the low post, he also said he doesn’t want to force Martin into the lineup if he’s not ready, because Karl can’t afford to have Martin re-aggravate the injury and be out even longer.
Denver’s next two games are on the road against two of the Eastern Conference’s better teams — Thursday at Cleveland and Friday in Boston.
If Martin doesn’t start tonight, Karl will again go with Linas Kleiza, who started for Martin in Sunday’s win — and has scored in double-figures in the past two games.
In addition to Martin, two other Denver bigs are out — Chris Andersen (fractured rib) and Steven Hunter (knee surgery).
But Karl, much to his chagrin, sensed it’s unlikely Denver will bring back Juwan Howard, the power forward who was waived last week after the trade with Detroit.
Benjamin Hochman can be reached at 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
