Iverson to miss All-Star game with sprained ankle

Basketball Betting Lines

02/13/2007 -

DENVER (AP) -Allen Iverson will miss the All-Star Game because of a sprained right ankle that has bothered him for two weeks.

Iverson was chosen as a reserve to the Western Conference squad for Sunday's game in Las Vegas, but the Denver Nuggets guard has missed seven of his last eight games after spraining his right ankle Jan. 29. He aggravated the injury Feb. 6 against New Orleans.

The showcase game will now be missing two of the league's premier guards. Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns withdrew Monday because of a shoulder inflammation.

Also Tuesday, the Nets said star point guard Jason Kidd will miss the next two games because of a back strain. The Nets had no information on whether he'll play in Las Vegas.

Iverson won't play against Minnesota on Wednesday night in the Nuggets' last game before the All-Star break. He hopes to return Feb. 20 at San Antonio when the regular season resumes.

Teammate Carmelo Anthony, the league's leading scorer, was selected by commissioner David Stern last week as an injury replacement for the West All-Stars.

Iverson has averaged 26.8 points and 7.8 assists in 20 games for the Nuggets since being acquired from the 76ers on Dec. 19. For the year, his 28.7-point average is tied for third in the league.

``I'm very disappointed that I can't play right now,'' Iverson said in a statement released by the team. ``I was really looking forward to representing the Nuggets in my first All-Star Game with the West. However, I need to make sure my ankle is 100 percent for the stretch run.''

Iverson is an eight-time NBA All-Star who earned MVP honors at the 2001 and '05 games. He was selected as a starter by fans seven times during his decade in Philadelphia.

``I want to thank the Western Conference coaches for selecting me and my teammates and coaching staff for putting me in a position to succeed,'' he said. ``I couldn't have made it without them. I also want to thank all the fans who have supported me and that voted for me as a starter. I wish I could play for you all.''

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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