It is starting to appear the Nuggets will be without their floor leader for at least another game, and maybe beyond that. Chauncey Billups wants to play, but his presence on the court Wednesday against Atlanta is up in the air because of a strained groin.
The veteran point guard jogged up and down the court Monday as the Nuggets returned to practice, but Billups wasn’t happy with the returns.
He participated in some three man-weave drills.
“But when I tried to pick it up and get to a sprint, I wasn’t able to really get to sprint like I wanted to,” Billups said. “I was a little frustrated with that.
“It’s better than (it was Sunday), but I couldn’t really run like I wanted to. I thought I would feel a little better than this, but we’ll see. We’ll just keep seeing how I feel every day. I’m not ruling nothing out, but I definitely can’t say I’ll be ready to go. Hopefully I’ll feel better. I did a lot of stuff on it, so hopefully it’ll strengthen it up.”
Billups has missed the Nuggets’ past two games, both road losses. Getting Billups back is a priority, but coach George Karl said it’s more important to make sure he comes back healthy.
“I think we’re in a good place (record wise) and I don’t think we want to get crazy with it,” Karl said. “You have to trust the team, trust the home court and trust the fans. I don’t think you want to lose him for two weeks.
“I think he’s feeling he’s improving, but 100 percent? I would not say that’s the prognosis right now.”
Denver (19-9) has games Wednesday, Friday (at Portland), Sunday (Dallas) and Monday (at Sacramento), but then has a four-day break before playing Jan. 2 at Utah.
“I’m definitely going to be smart with it,” Billups said. “I’m definitely going to listen to my body on this, and nothing else. But if I’m ready to play, I’m going to play. But I don’t want this to hamper me any longer than it’s supposed to. So I’m going to be careful with how I handle getting back out there.”
He ranks first on the team in assists (averaging 5.7), second in points (17.4), third in steals (1.2), third in 3-point percentage (shooting .394) and tops in free-throw percentage (.902).
Of more pressing matters for Karl is the Nuggets’ growing inability to win when one of their starters is out. The Nuggets are 0-3 when Kenyon Martin doesn’t start and 0-2 without Billups.
“I think the thing that’s coming a little bit in our situation is when we lose one of our top three or four, we’re having trouble winning games,” Karl said. “I don’t know if we’re respecting the challenge when we lose a defensive leader (Martin) or now Chauncey being our quarterback.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
