Nene Hilario News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

April 1

Washington Post

"The Washington Wizards did not practice on Saturday following a thorough 97-76 victory over Philadelphia the previous night at Verizon Center in which starting center Nene and starting forward Trevor Booker each suffered nearly identical injuries. Reached on Saturday morning, a team spokesman indicated both players continue to be monitored and are day-to-day. The Wizards next play on Sunday in Toronto before coming home for a Monday night meeting with Milwaukee. After going 1 of 3 from the field in almost six and a half minutes, Booker departed the game with 5 minutes 38 seconds to play with what the team called a pulled left plantar fascia. Booker, averaging 8.4 points and 6.5 rebounds,"

Nuggets trade Nene to Washington for Javale McGee, others, sources confirm

March 15

Denver Post

"Denver has traded forward Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf in a three-team deal that also sends Nick Young from Washington to the Clippers, according to two NBA sources. Denver also gets a future second-round pick. Other players may be added to the deal, which came right before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday. Nene signed a five-year deal worth up to $67 million with the Nuggets before this season. He joined the Nuggets in 2002 after being drafted in the first round by New York Knicks."

Nuggets' Nene shares his fondness for Houston

March 3

Houston Chronicle

"Nuggets center Nene did not quite confirm the widespread conjecture that he would have signed with the Rockets as a free agent had the Rockets' proposed trade for Pau Gasol been completed, opening cap room to sign Nene. He did come close, referring to Houston as "a better spot." "We had a great conversation," Nene said. "Kevin McHale is a legend. It was a privilege for me to sit down with him, have a little time with him. I like the city. I signed with Denver. I love Denver, but I still like this city. I have friends here." Asked if he would have signed with the Rockets, Nene laughed and said: "I can't answer that. People think it." Nene cited a variety of reasons for his fondness for"

Nene likely to play in matchup vs. Melo

January 21

Denver Post

""Probably not" became "probable." On Friday morning, Nuggets coach George Karl said he didn't think Nene would play tonight at New York after Denver's big man rested his lingering left heel strain Friday at Washington. But after Friday night's win, Nene was declared probable for the big game tonight against Carmelo Anthony. Meanwhile, Rudy Fernandez's lingering Achilles strain continues to bother the reserve guard. He sat out Denver's previous two games but returned Friday — only to return to the bench in the second half because of the injury. The team will re-evaluate his foot today to see if he can play. Timofey Mozgov, the Nuggets' starting center, returned to the lineup Friday after"

Nene rests as precaution for strained heel

January 8

Denver Post

"It's a long season, but it could be a longer one if Nene doesn't get healthy. So the Nuggets are being cautious with the big man, who didn't play Saturday night because of a left heel strain. Nene did play Friday at New Orleans, scoring six points and grabbing eight rebounds in 24 minutes. Coach George Karl sat Nene in the fourth quarter, in part because of upcoming back-to-back games. But on Saturday, the team decided to rest Nene. Karl started Kosta Koufos?, the 7-footer who played well in the win against the Hornets. He was teamed with Timofey Mozgov in the low post. Nene could return Monday in Denver, where the Nuggets again take on the Hornets."

Nuggets light up if Nene powers up at new position

December 29

Denver Post

"Here's the $67 million question for Nene: Is he finally ready to scream at the NBA to get out of his way? The Nuggets can only hope, because if the wish comes true, then Denver might have a legitimate contender in a city aching to go on the thrill ride of a deep playoff run. The Nene we saw dunking his way to 25 points and kicking the sweet melody out of the Utah Jazz was a beast. And it made you wonder: Where has this all-star talent been hiding inside the 6-foot-11 frame of Nene all these years? "You lit him up," Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri joked Wednesday night, after watching Nene lead Denver to a 117-100 victory that met every expectation of 19,155 paying customers in the"

Nene leads Nuggets in rout of Jazz, 117-100 in home opener

December 29

Denver Post

"Willing to cheer, but not fully knowing which player to clap for the loudest just yet on a new-look team with undefined stars, the Pepsi Center crowd gave Nuggets coach George Karl? the loudest applause in team introductions before the home opener. And just as well. Karl's team already looks like it is in midseason form and he, and his staff, are the main reason why. Home-opening night was festive Wednesday, a game in which the Nuggets ran straight through Utah as if the Jazz was barely there and won 117-100. The near-sellout crowd came to see what all the fuss was about. The fans got their money's worth in another near-complete effort from the Fun on the Run Nuggets. "I think if you're a"

Nene re-signs with Nuggets, a five-year deal worth as much as $67 million

December 13

Denver Post

"The Nuggets' sigh of relief cost $67 million. Denver is bringing back Nene, the free agent who looked to be out the door, a source said late Tuesday night. Nene agreed to a five-year deal for up to $67 million, bolstering the Nuggets' frontcourt for the next half-decade. Nene had considered heading to New Jersey, Houston and Indiana, but in the end, he stayed in the city he began his career, back in 2002."

Nene, Chandler weighing options after fallouts with former teams

December 7

SI.com

"Nene and Tyson Chandler have more in common than being the top-tier big men in this year's NBA free agent class: They both had their feelings hurt by their former team. Chandler appears unlikely to return to Dallas, in large part because of the Mavericks' insistence on preserving their payroll for next year's free-agent crop and because of Chandler's increasing involvement in the Chris Paul saga in New Orleans. But a source with knowledge of the situation said the prospect of Nene returning to Denver remains entirely possible -- if not probable -- for the exact opposite reason. Nene, who recently expressed disappointment over the Nuggets' reluctance to offer an extension until late last"

Bird to meet with Nene

December 6

Indianapolis Star

"Pacers president Larry Bird is about to go after one of the top free agents on the market. Bird is scheduled to fly to Denver to meet with Nene on Tuesday, according to sources. Monday was the first day that teams could talk to free agents. The biggest question surrounding Nene is whether the Pacers, who will likely be around $21 million under the salary cap, are willing to pay top dollar to sign him."

What's the latest with Nene and Kenyon Martin?

November 30

Denver Post

"For the past few years, Nene and Kenyon Martin have made up the Nuggets starting front court – and there's a possibility that neither will be on the Nuggets when this season begins. Kenyon Martin's agent, Andy Miller, confirmed today that Martin will continue to play out his contract in China, a contract that did not have an out-clause. Martin is an unrestricted free agent, so he might not have been back anyway. He can return to the NBA when his China team finished the season, likely in March. Meanwhile, when free agency does begin on Dec. 9, it's arguable that Nene will be the best player available. The longtime Nuggets post opted out of the last year of his contract ($11.6 million),"

Nene wants out; six teams in hunt

November 29

CBSSports.com

"One of the surest bets of the soon-to-begin 2011 NBA free-agent period is that Nene wants out of Denver. Where he winds up, and how, will be among the most intriguing storylines when the floodgates open around Dec. 9. The Nuggets are operating under the firm belief that Nene will test the market as an unrestricted free agent, according to a person familiar with the team's thinking. Six teams have registered interest, the source said: Golden State, New Jersey, Indiana, Miami, Dallas and Houston. Nene, the top unrestricted free agent on the market in the view of many team executives, will have a say over where he winds up -- though not as much as free agents did under the previous system"

Nene to opt out of contract, become an unrestricted free agent

June 30

Denver Post

"Now the real work begins for the Nuggets in trying to retain their starting center. Nene will opt out of the final year of his contract worth nearly $12 million and, as a result, become an unrestricted free agent, a source familiar with the situation said Wednesday night. It means Nene can sign with any team he wishes without the Nuggets getting a chance to match the offer when free agency begins after the expected NBA lockout, which likely will start Friday. Nene had until today to make a final decision. The Nuggets tried to sign him to a contract extension before today, the last day of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, but to no avail. Instead, Nene figures to have many suitors"

Nene and Nuggets need each other

June 28

Denver Post

columnist Mark Kiszla

"The Nuggets and Nene are playing a dangerous game of chicken that needs to end before both parties get hurt. Nene would be dumb to walk out those arena doors as a free agent. The Nuggets would be stupid to let him go. So why let a little thing like $50 million stand in the way of a beautiful relationship? Do the deal already. The last great act of labor peace in the NBA before all heck breaks loose between players and owners should be Nene signing a contract extension with the Nuggets before the clock strikes midnight at the end of Thursday. When I asked Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri how the nature of negotiations would change should the team be unable to reach an agreement with Nene"

Jamal Crawford, Marc Gasol and the 2011 NBA Big Name Free Agents

June 27

Bleacher Report

"With the NBA Draft over, now fans can look forward to free agency. Free agency is the time where teams add players they think will take them over the top. Some of the top free agents this summer include Nene, Samuel Dalembert, Marc Gasol and Jamal Crawford. Nene of the Denver Nuggets is a very efficient center and has been for a long time now. He brings toughness and rebounding as well as scoring. He has been in Denver since the start of his career and seems to like it there, so don't expect him to be switching teams. Samuel Dalembert isn't a highly talked about center. He doesn't score much and certainly doesn't make highlight reel plays. What he does do is defend and rebound. He spent"

Denver Nuggets optimistic about Nene talks

June 26

SportingNews.com

"The Denver Nuggets are "making progress" in their efforts to convince center Nene to stay with the team, GM Masai Ujiri told The Denver Post. Nene, who averaged a career-high 14.5 points in 2009-10, is expected to opt out of the final year of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent."

Nuggets GM wants Nene "to always be a Denver Nugget"

June 5

Denver Post

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"The youthful new front office is eager to build on its early momentum by refining the roster this summer, but it looks increasingly likely that the NBA will follow the NFL's lead and lock out its players a week after the June 23 draft. Neither Ujiri nor any other NBA executive can map offseason moves until they know what the rules are. "We feel like we've got a couple good young players, we have a couple of veteran players, and we're trying to keep the core of that team and start building again in a new era," Ujiri said. He can't identify that core without taking a bunch of calls from unhappy players and agents, but for now, my sense is it includes point guard Ty Lawson, shooting guard"

For Nuggets GM Ujiri it's hurry up and wait

June 5

Denver Post

columnist Dave Krieger

"Masai Ujiri took the short walk from his home in the Golden Triangle to a nearby coffee house one recent morning like a man all dressed up with no place to go. Even as the NBA revels in a star-studded championship series featuring LeBron James, Dirk No- witzki and Dwyane Wade, the gloom of a looming lockout is gathering. Taking a break from draft preparations and a hectic travel schedule, the Nuggets' general manager scrupulously avoided referring to the association's labor dispute, per commissioner David Stern's instructions. But behind his habitually upbeat exterior, Ujiri must share John Elway's frustration. The Broncos and Nuggets share the misfortune of recasting their front offices"

Karl thinks Nene staying with Nuggets

May 29

Denver Post

columnist Benjamin Hochman

"Today is Carmelo Anthony's birthday. Twenty- seven. One year ago, the seismic shifting of the Nuggets began at Melo's birthday party. That night, at Philippe in West Hollywood, he and NBA power broker William "Worldwide Wes" Wesley chatted about Melo's desire to leave Denver. Shortly after, Wesley contacted the Nuggets, telling them they had better consider trading their franchise player. The Melodrama had begun. For George Karl, one year later, the biggest drama in the coach's life is his dogs barking loudly during a phone interview. He beat throat-and-neck cancer, his team won 50 games, he got a contract extension and he even recently returned to the golf course, something he hadn't done"

Nene may opt out with Nuggets

May 3

Denver Post

"On the table in front of Nene are two choices: Take the last year of his contract, which would keep him with the Nuggets, or opt out of his contract, which could make him a former member of the Nuggets. While no final decision has been made, Nene said Monday he is strongly considering opting out of the final season of his six-year, $60 million contract, which would pay him $12 million, and testing the free-agent market. After nine seasons in the NBA, Nene has full control of his future and it could take hard work for the Nuggets to make him happy enough to return. "I've been here for nine years," said Nene, 28. "If that doesn't work how you want it, you need to sit down and evaluate"

One costly quarter for Nene

April 18

Denver Post

"Nene's return was never set in stone. The Nuggets center had been helped off the court in the third quarter Sunday night, unable to put weight on his right leg. In a freak collision moments earlier with the Thunder's big man, Kendrick Perkins, Nene added a knee injury to a groin strain that was bothering him. But after the examination by Nuggets athletic trainer Jim Gillen revealed a bruised knee, Nene cleared his mind enough to finish out the game. And finish he did. Nene was a star in what was otherwise a heartbreaking Game 1 loss for the Nuggets. He dunked. And dunked. And dunked some more en route to a team-high 22 points. He was as aggressive as many people close to the team had ever"

Nene league's best shooter

April 14

Denver Post

"Not only did Nene finish with the best shooting percentage (.615) in the league, it's the third-highest season percentage of an active NBA player. Only Andris Biedrins (.626 for Golden State) and Tyson Chandler (.623 for New Orleans), both in 2007-08, shot a higher percentage than Nene did this season for the Nuggets. "He's a tremendously efficient player," Denver coach George Karl said of Nene, who averaged a career-high 14.5 points in 75 games. "He prides himself on being a team-oriented player, so he doesn't force a lot of shots. And he's such a huge target under the basket. He has great hands and he can finish in tough situations." Nene's shooting percentage ranks 17th in NBA history,"

Nene thrives in "new" surroundings

March 23

Denver Post

"Nene brushes off the notion that he's playing differently from a month ago — before the Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony, to be exact. No, not different, he said. He has always bounced around the court, glided through the lane and cut to the basket. He's not a puzzle piece that has been pounded in and finally made to fit. Instead, perhaps the Nuggets' center has found a puzzle that has come to fit him. "Me? I try to play the same way," Nene said. "You try to play the same way and make your teammates better. That's no secret, that's basketball — pass the ball, find the open shot, try to give your best and make your teammates better. That's the thing." Nene is on the shortlist of Nuggets"

Sources: Nuggets target Nene extension

February 22

ESPN.com

"Once they officially revamp their roster with the trade of Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, the Denver Nuggets might be turning the page and focusing on their next moves. The Nuggets are already pitching a contract extension to Nene, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein. With Anthony moved, the Nuggets, according to sources, are focused on either extending Nene before the July 30 deadline or executing a trade closer to the draft. The Brazilian forward has the right to opt out of his contract at season's end and is poised to walk away from the $11.6 million he's scheduled to make in 2011-12 to become a free agent. Denver may also be working on a plan to trade"

Warriors have inquired about Nene

February 9

Oakland Tribune

"When the Warriors and Denver Nuggets meet Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, the visitors will have a player who could fill a serious need for Golden State. According to multiple sources, the Warriors have inquired about Nene, a 6-foot-11, 250-pound center from Brazil. But the Nuggets would have to agree to trade him, and Nene would have to agree to a contract extension because he is a pending free agent. So he remains a relative dream. "We have to look at what we have," Warriors coach Keith Smart said. "We can't wish and hope for something we don't have." Nene, who is averaging 15.3 points per game on an NBA-best 64.4 percent shooting, would seem to quench the Warriors' thirst for inside"

Jeff Green to Denver for Nene? Could a Carmelo deal to the Lakers open the door?

February 9

The Oklahoman

"When he's not coordinating our coverage of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State sports — and dealing with photo assignments, credential requests and a million other details — The Oklahoman's assistant sports editor Ryan Sharp is developing quite an obsession with the NBA. I know this because I sit right across from him, which is where I was today when ESPN reported the Los Angeles Lakers are exploring a trade with Denver for Carmelo Anthony. Which prompted Ryan to ask, "Could this clear the way for the Nuggets to trade Nene to the Thunder for Jeff Green?" Great question. Important question. Check the logic: The Nuggets would likely ask for Lakers 24-year-old center Andrew Bynum. The Nuggets would"

Nuggets' Nene sits out game vs. Rockets because of illness

February 8

Denver Post

"Now that the major injuries are mostly over, it's the nagging ones that are chipping away at the Nuggets. Nene, averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, missed Monday night's home game against the Houston Rockets because of what coach George Karl termed "sickness and flu." The team officially said it was because of a sinus infection and chest congestion. "A couple of our assistants have had it," Karl said. "It's a pretty tough flu right now. There's no question he's de-hydrated and (didn't) have the energy to go." It was the sixth game Nene missed this season. His status is day to day, and his availability is uncertain for Wednesday's game at Golden State."

Love's selection leaves Nene off of west squad

February 5

Denver Post

"Commissioner David Stern wasted no time in making his injury-replacement pick for the 2011 All-Star Game. He did so Friday by selecting Minnesota forward Kevin Love, which closed the book on the all-star selection process and ended Nuggets center Nene's chances of making the team. So instead of going to Los Angeles for his first All-Star Game, Nene will head to Vail to relax over the four- day break with family and friends. Nuggets coach George Karl praised Nene's season to this point, saying: "He's been more consistent than he ever has in his career. I wish he would have gotten more consideration, or at least I would have felt he got more consideration. It just didn't seem like he got"

Will Nuggets let Nene hit the open market?

February 4

Denver Post

"If you're wondering if Nuggets center Nene can possibly hit the open market in the summer, the answer is yes. This, however, is a situation the Nuggets can control from start-to-finish. Nene wants to stay in Denver. He said as much in no uncertain terms just 10 days ago. "I want to stay here," he said. "I have friends, I have family. All the fans have been supportive; they've been good to me." And yet ... Nene can opt out of the final year of his contract at the end of the season with hopes of signing a long-term deal, and that option is very much on the table. Those in the know believe he can make right around $10 million per year as an unrestricted free agent regardless of what happens"

Nene has one shot to join all-stars

February 4

Denver Post

"Nuggets center Nene has one shot left at getting named to the Western Conference all-star team. That would be as an injury replacement for Houston center Yao Ming, a selection that will be made by commissioner David Stern. The all-star reserves were named Thursday evening, and Western Conference big men chosen were Blake Griffin (Clippers), Tim Duncan (Spurs), Pau Gasol (Lakers) and Dirk No- witzki (Mavericks). Major snubs were Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Minnesota's Kevin Love. Stern's decision next week likely will come down to one of those two players."

Nene misses game with strained right calf, hopes to play Friday

January 27

Denver Post

"Gary Forbes, a 6-foot-7 reserve, played power forward for the Nuggets during part of Wednesday night's game. Such is life for the Nuggets, trudging through this five- game road trip with big issues with their bigs. Starting center Nene, the NBA's leader in field-goal percentage, has a strained right calf and didn't play. With today's scheduled day off, Nene is hopeful that two days of rest will be enough to put him back in the lineup Friday at Cleveland. It was previously determined that starting power forward Kenyon Martin (knee recovery) would sit out because it was the second game of a back-to-back set. Reserve big man Chris Andersen is still out, resting his knee and back."

Nuggets' center Nene is quietly playing his best

January 15

Denver Post

"Lost in the forest of trade talk, rumors and speculation have been some good individual seasons for the Nuggets.And Nene is one of those having a productive year. The Nuggets big man quietly has put together one of the best seasons of his career. His averages of 15.0 points, 63 percent shooting and 77 percent free-throw shooting are career bests. At 7.5 rebounds per game, he's just four-tenths away from a career high.Yes, things are going well for Nene, who is in the mix for an all-star spot this season, trailing only Houston's Yao Ming (who is out for the season) and the Lakers' Andrew Bynum among Western Conference centers.But could Nene be even better?Coach George Karl thinks so. And"

Nene's return provides team more options

November 9

Denver Post

"To Nuggets fans, this standard description in the play-by-play reads like a poem by Keats: Nene driving slam dunk. Less than three minutes into his first game back, the 6-foot-11 center attacked the basket for a vicious rim-rattler. It was refreshing to see that the big fellow had some hops after missing three games with a groin strain. And it also was a glimpse of aggressiveness, something Nene doesn't always show with the basketball. With Nene back, "it gives us more size, talent and one of our more efficient players on the court," said Denver coach George Karl, who started either Gary Forbes or Melvin Ely with Nene out. "I've got to monitor how much he can play and how well he can play."

Nuggets' top priority minus Nene: rebound

November 5

Denver Post

"What's next, an injury to Raef LaFrentz? Blair Rasmussen? Now, three Nuggets big men are injured. Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen continue to rehab from knee surgeries, and Nene is dealing with a groin strain that kept him out of Wednesday's loss to Dallas. Nene is a game-time decision tonight against the Clippers. The Nuggets said Thursday that he is improving and listed him as day to day. Without Nene, the Nuggets' low post players are basically 6-foot-9 Shelden Williams, 6-9 forward Al Harrington and 6-8 Carmelo Anthony, the latter two more perimeter-minded. Coach George Karl started reserve 6-7 forward Gary Forbes in the Wednesday loss — Forbes was the first rookie to start for the"

Nuggets' Nene injures knee, will miss World Championship

August 23

NBA.com

"Brazil have received a setback in their preparations for the FIBA World Championship with the national side losing Denver Nuggets big man Nenê Hilário to injury. Coach Ruben Magnano has called Le Mans center João Paulo Batista, a member of last year's gold-medal winning side at the FIBA Americas Championship in Puerto Rico, into the squad as a replacement. Nenê, who was forced off the court in the 2007-08 NBA campaign with testicular cancer but had an inspirational comeback to remain a major part of the Denver line-up, had been suffering from inflammation in both legs during Brazil's preparations. He trained with the team for seven days and appeared to fine physically, and played in"

Nene's softness, big salary must go

May 5

Denver Post

columnist Mark Kiszla

"Nene is a lovable, gentle giant, more comfortable wearing sandals than lacing up steel-toe work boots. He's also the Nuggets' biggest problem. On an NBA team running short on time to chase a championship, can Denver afford to pay Nene $11.36 million to be soft when the going gets rough in the playoffs? No, no, no. There can be no more Nene disappearing acts at crunch time. If there's a legitimate desire for sharper elbows under the basket and a reliable scorer in the post, the one player the Nuggets must seriously consider trading is Nene. Denver has hard work to do and tough choices to make. There must be urgency for team management to get it done, because in little more than one year,"

Nuggets' Nene looks to future

May 4

Denver Post

"Nene walked out of the Pepsi Center on Monday afternoon with a summer cool about him. Shades. Polo shirt. Shorts. Sandals. And, of course, his trademark smile. Nene did not play in the Nuggets' last game of the season, the Game 6 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night, after suffering a left knee injury in Game 5. But the sprain that kept him out is healing nicely, Nene said as he and his personal manager, Alex Santos, toted belongings from his locker to a car. Nene said his knee was feeling much better and he's still on target to play for the Brazilian national team at the world championship in Turkey in late August. "The good news is my knee is getting healthy," Nene said. "I'll be ready"

Nuggets fearful that Nene tore his left ACL

April 29

Denver Post

"The Nuggets sure hope they're wrong, but a source familiar with the situation said the team is extremely fearful that Nene tore his left ACL in Wednesday's Game 5. Nene was attended to by team trainers and doctors after his second-quarter fall, and today he will undergo the revealing MRI. The team listed the injury as a left knee sprain. In the first game of 2005, the big man tore his other ACL on his right knee and missed the other 81 games of that season."

Knee injury likely sidelines Nene for rest of series

April 29

Denver Post

"If the Nuggets continue to rally in the series, they'll have to do so without Nene. The Nuggets' starting center was injured in the second quarter and did not return. He likely won't return for the remainder of the series with what Nuggets trainers called an injured left knee. A source familiar with the situation said the team is fearful Nene tore the ACL in his left knee. Nene is scheduled for an MRI today, which will determine the severity of the injury. Given some of the preliminary tests done Wednesday night, it is not expected to provide good news. "I told him we got this: 'Keep your head up and everything will be all right,' " Denver forward Kenyon Martin said. "We'll find out more"

Satisfied Nene plans to play for Brazil this summer in World Championship

April 12

Denver Post

"The best way to describe Nene's relationship with the Brazilian Basketball Confederation and the national team in the past would be, well, hate-hate. Not anymore. The Nuggets center, a native of Sao Carlos, Brazil, has come full circle. Not only did he say on Sunday that he is planning on playing for Brazil in this summer's FIBA World Championship in Turkey, but he is excited to do so. "Yeah, I will play," Nene said. "A lot of things changed over there in Brazil with the confederation. I know that's an important tournament. I know I need to represent my team. The (NBA) season's not done, but in my heart I will try to do my best for my country. In the past there were a lot of issues that"

Nuggets' Nene listed as day to day with injured foot

February 8

Denver Post

"A half-hour after Saturday's game, and after carefully placing his left foot into his loafer, Nene was asked to describe the injury to his foot muscle: "I can't run," the center succinctly said. A day later, the Nuggets center got treatment on his painful foot and is listed as day to day, as is Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, Denver's all-stars who sat out Saturday's game. Meanwhile, shooting guard Arron Afflalo's ankle is possibly a little more serious, and it's unsure whether he will play in Tuesday's big game against Dallas. The Nuggets didn't practice Sunday, but the wounded players came in for treatment. Denver is in the middle of its toughest stretch of the season — losing to"

Nene and Lawson both sprain ankles in win; listed as day-to-day

January 6

Denver Post

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"Denver (22-13) played without Chauncey Billups (groin), Carmelo Anthony (knee) and Chris Andersen (ankle). During the game, Nene sprained his right ankle and Ty Lawson sprained his left ankle. Both are listed as day to day. Still, the Nuggets found enough scorers to put up 123 points and win by playing occasional defense. "We actually had some very good defensive possessions, but we had some very, very poor ones," said Nuggets forward Malik Allen, who played 22 minutes. "It was going to come down to who ever had the last possession." That was Denver, after a frantic final minute."