"Nuggets guard Ty Lawson was a late scratch from Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles because of a sprained left ankle that continues to give him problems.

Lawson had hoped to play in the pivotal early Western Conference showdown between the second- and third-place teams, and had said he would Saturday afternoon.

But after having difficulty in getting some things done on the court, and after going through a pregame workout, he was shelved. Andre Miller started in his place."