Chris Andersen’s 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks of energy were rooted in confidence, but not the kind you’re thinking of.
He was confident his knee would hold up.
Andersen tweaked his right knee during the Nuggets’ 123-90 victory over Toronto on March 21, information they kept close to the vest. Though he thought he could be effective two nights later against San Antonio, his knee wasn’t good enough for him to play significant minutes. He played just five against the Spurs.
His big game Friday against Washington meant that with a couple days of rest, everything was fine. Not only did his knee hold up, Andersen played arguably his best game of the season.
“It’s tough sometimes trying to play through injuries,” Andersen said. “I thought I could at least be out there playing the way I wanted to play, but San Antonio, I wasn’t there physically because of my knee. Basically it’s all about getting treatment and getting some time to heal and get rested up.”
While Andersen didn’t show up on the injury report, he sat out practice before the San Antonio game. Yet it wasn’t enough. But Andersen appears good to go for whatever time he is asked to play from here on out. “I twisted it when I blocked a shot. I landed on someone’s foot and shook (the knee),” he said. “San Antonio game, guys took care of business and we won a big game.”
Chandler update.
The Nuggets (44-29) didn’t practice Sunday. If they had, Wilson Chandler might not have been a participant.
The former Knicks forward was held out of Denver’s game against Washington on Friday with the hope that a few days of rest will help a chronically injured left ankle feel better.
Chandler has a history of ankle issues. In June 2008, he had surgery on his left ankle to remove bone spurs. Nine months later, he had surgery to remove scar tissue. This season, he missed three games because of a sore left calf while with the Knicks. That injury was thought to have been related to his ankle problems.
And though there is some speculation that this could become a sizable problem for the 6-foot-8 Chandler, Nuggets coach George Karl isn’t buying it.
“I think right now we’re feeling pretty good that he’s going to be fine,” Karl said.
Chandler is averaging 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 14 games with the Nuggets.
Playoff tickets on sale this week.
Tickets for all three potential Nuggets home games in the first round of the playoffs go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.
Tickets can be ordered at any TicketHorse outlet, at the Pepsi Center box office, online at and by phone at 303-53-HORSE.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
