Carmelo Anthony hurt - to miss 3-4 weeks

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_11386675

Carmelo Anthony's right hand was covered with a red splint today, as he was officially pronounced out of action for three-to-four weeks with a non-displaced third metacarpal fracture.

But the Nuggets star forward did not concede anything beyond three weeks.

"Four weeks, that's the doctor's statement. That's what they said," Anthony said. "They gotta say that. It all depends on my body and how fast I heal."

Anthony, who is averaging 21.1 points and 7.3 rebounds, estimated he could be back on the court in less than three weeks.

"Two, two and half weeks, we play five games," Anthony said. "And just play it by ear after that."

Anthony will not need a cast. The splint, which he can put on and take off at his leisure, can


"The next couple of weeks, I'm just going to get some rest, some treatment," Anthony said. "The good news is I didn't have to get no surgery on it. So, hopefully the healing process will be a lot quicker."

In his career, Anthony has been as durable a player as there is in the league. He has played in 75 or more games in all but one season of his career, and the one season he played 65 (2006-07), it was due mostly to a 15-game fighting suspension.

If Anthony sits the full four weeks, he will miss 11 games. Add that to the three he's already missed due to a right elbow contusion, and this season is starting to look a bit injury-riddled.

"It seems like it doesn't stop," Anthony said. "But I can use this next couple of weeks to rehab my elbow, get some rest on my hand, and see what happens from there."

The latest injury occurred at the 9:44 mark in the third quarter of Monday night's game against the Indiana Pacers. Pacers forward Jeff Foster fouled Anthony hard on the hand as he went up for a shot. Anthony said he did not immediately know his hand was fractured at the time.

"I couldn't move it," Anthony said. "It was just numb. It was tingling. I didn't think it was broken. After the game, I knew it was a light fracture."

Despite the injury, Anthony played into the fourth quarter but left the game early to get the hand x-rayed. That's when the fracture was discovered. Today, Anthony visited hand specialist, Dr. Carlton Clinkscales, to confirm the fracture.

"I don't want nobody to feel bad for me," Anthony said. "Injuries happen in this sport. I'm going to make this time the best time that I can just by rehabbing and continuing where I left off at."

Nuggets recall Weems

In response to Anthony's injury, the Nuggets recalled guard-forward Sonny Weems from the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League.

Weems started the season with the Nuggets before being assigned to the 14ers on Dec. 10. In Broomfield, he has averaged 18.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 10 games for the 14ers.

Homestretch threatened

Anthony's injury comes at a crucial piece of the Nuggets' season schedule. They play eight of their next 11 games in Denver, through the end of January.

The Nuggets are currently leading the Northwest Division, three games ahead of Portland and 3 1/2 ahead of Utah. They were hoping to add to their division lead with a favorable schedule this month.

Both Portland and Utah are also hurting. Jazz star forward Carlos Boozer will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next month. And Brandon Roy, Portland's all-star guard who missed the past two games because of a sprained right hamstring, will miss seven to 10 more days.

Denver next hosts Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center, at 7 p.m. Then on Friday, Allen Iverson will face his former team when the Detroit Pistons come to Denver for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com