returned to the Nuggets lineup Saturday night. But in order to keep the veteran forward in uniform on a nightly basis, Arthur’s minutes might have to be monitored the remainder of the season.
“Yeah, probably through the rest of the year thatap what we’ll have to do,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Even with practices I’m going to have to limit him. The one thing I love about Darrell, he knows one speed and one way to play, and thatap hard.”
Arthur missed three games with left knee soreness, a complication stemming from an offseason lateral release knee procedure. He has had the knee drained and has said thatap likely to be something he’ll have to get done from time to time.
But in the meantime, the team plans to also help him limit the stress he puts on his knees.
“He had two hard practices in London and his knee swelled up because of it.” Malone said. “So I have to protect him from himself, and, obviously, if we want him in games we have to limit his practice time so we can get him in the game as much as possible. So thatap just something we have to keep our eye on, and I have to trust and listen to our medical staff so we’re making sure we put Darrell in the best position possible.”
Back in action. , who missed Thursday’s game at San Antonio with a sore ankle, and , who missed the last game for personal reasons, both returned against the Clippers.
Packed schedule. Here come the back-to-backs. Starting with the Saturday/Sunday games against the Clippers and Timberwolves, and running through March 1, the Nuggets have six sets of back-to-backs in 20 games.
Four sets of back-to-backs come in the 14 games before the break. Going into Saturday’s game, the Nuggets were 3-5 in the first game of a back-to-back and 2-6 in the second game.DENVER AT MINNESOTA, 5 p.m. Sunday, ALT, 950 AM
Spotlight on Kris Dunn: The rookie is the reason rumors about the Timberwolves possibly wanting to trade point guard Ricky Rubio have surfaced. Dunn was the fifth pick in the draft, and has proven solid enough to warrant more playing time. As it is, Dunn, a tough defender, is averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
