Carmelo Anthony is listed as probable for the Nuggets’ home game tonight against the Dallas Mavericks as he recovers from a sprained left ankle. He took time to joke about what that meant in what has been an on-again, off-again saga with his game status each night.
“Probable is like a 50-50 chance,” the Nuggets’ all-star forward said. “A 50 percent chance that I can be out there or a 50 percent chance that I can take another day off.”
Anthony does, however, appear to be closing in on playing soon, at a time when the Nuggets may need him most.
Six players didn’t practice Monday because of an assortment of injuries. Even coach George Karl missed practice, because of a personal matter.
Anthony, the NBA’s second-leading scorer, has been out of the lineup for 13 of the Nuggets’ 19 games since Jan. 1. And though he’s steadily improving, Anthony wasn’t ready to make a definitive statement that he would return for tonight’s game.
The Nuggets’ ability to win without him — 8-5 this season — has given Anthony some leeway. And he has taken time to make sure he’s fully healthy before returning. Last week, he said he was missing his explosiveness, particularly with his first step.
Monday, he said he had his explosiveness back but still wouldn’t push matters “until it gets 100 percent. I don’t know how long that’s going to take, but hopefully I’ll get out there (tonight).”
Outside of Anthony, the Nugget most in danger of missing tonight’s game is J.R. Smith, who is out with a sprained right shoulder. The injury happened Friday during Denver’s 126-113 win over the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Smith was examined by team doctor Steve Traina and is listed as a game-time decision. The Nuggets could be cautious with him as well. They have fared well without Smith, going 5-2.
Chauncey Billups has left and right ankle sprains, but is expected to play tonight.
Kenyon Martin (knee), Chris Andersen (knee) and Nene (lower leg muscle strain) are listed as probable.
Meanwhile, guard Arron Afflalo was supposed to be a question mark because of a sprained left ankle. But he did some work on the court Monday, against the wishes of the training staff, and pronounced himself ready to go.
“I’m good to go,” Afflalo said. “I plan to get out there and be normal, just play. I twisted it pretty bad, but I got treatment. It’s sore, just like anything else, but I’m ready.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
