OAKLAND, Calif. — Chauncey Billups worked diligently to strengthen his injured left knee Wednesday morning while the rest of the team was put through the normal paces of a game-day shootaround.
But it wasn’t enough to get him on the court against the Warriors.
Billups is, however, expected to play tonight against the Mavericks, according to Nuggets coach George Karl.
“I think in the back-to-back situation he’s going to play (tonight),” Karl said. “If he played (Wednesday night) he didn’t think he could probably play (tonight). So he just wanted to take the extra day.”
Officially, it’s a left knee strain.
“It’s day to day,” he said. “It’s feeling a little better. I kind of hyperextended it a little bit.”
Billups, who has missed six games this season, said he wasn’t sure Monday night when he injured the knee during the Nuggets’ game against Houston until he watched the game film. He left in the first half and didn’t return.
“I didn’t know at all,” Billups said. “Then watching tape, watching film, I did it on a back screen. The guy kind of ran through me. I didn’t realize it at the time.”
Footnotes.
Nene returned to play against Golden State after missing the game against Houston because of the flu. . . . Though he is one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters, Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo was not picked to be part of the NBA’s 3-point shooting contest during all-star weekend.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
