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Big thumbs down for Nene

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 9, 2007 at midnight

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WASHINGTON — Once again, Nene is a no-no in the Nuggets' lineup.

The forward, whose career has been riddled with injuries, suffered another setback Thursday when it was learned he has a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Nene, hurt Wednesday at Boston, will undergo surgery today and is expected to be out six weeks.

That timetable would keep Nene out 19 games, beginning tonight against Washington. It would mark the fourth straight season he has missed at least 18.

Nene suffered what was called a sprained left thumb during the first half Wednesday. He returned to Denver on Thursday and was evaluated by hand specialist Dr. Carlton Clinkscale, who will perform the surgery today.

Nene's personal manager, Alex Santos, who accompanied Nene on the flight from Boston, said Nene initially didn't know the extent of the injury because his thumb had been immobilized and placed in a cast. Santos said Nene was "worried" about his situation and that he didn't immediately want to comment.

At least the Nuggets indicated Thursday that forward Kenyon Martin no longer will sit out one game in back-to-back situations this month. The Nuggets had planned to give extra rest to Martin as he works his way back from knee surgery.

That means Martin, listed as a starter for tonight, could play in four more games this month than originally thought. Nuggets coach George Karl, who did not return a message, had said earlier this week the plan was for Martin to rest tonight and play Saturday at Indiana.

It's the latest in a string of Nuggets injuries. Guard Chucky Atkins is out until mid- to late December because of a groin strain, guard Anthony Carter is out for about two more weeks with a broken hand and guard Mike Wilks is questionable for tonight after missing two games because of a strained hamstring.

It's also yet another injury for Nene, the most serious being the 81 games he missed in 2005-06 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Before his thumb injury, Nene suffered a calf strain Sept. 1 in an Olympic qualifying tournament, forcing him to miss the first 2 1/2 weeks of training camp.

"Just his post presence, his defense, especially when he's healthy," Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said after Wednesday's game about what will be missed with Nene. "We're going to really miss him."