Nene, Gallinari expected to play against Kings

DENVER (AP) — Nuggets coach George Karl is hoping to have Danilo Gallinari and Nene back on the bench against the Sacramento Kings.

Karl said before the game Monday night he was intending to play Gallinari and Nene limited minutes as they return from injuries.

Gallinari, the team’s leading scorer, missed 13 games with a left ankle sprain, while Nene sat out 10 due to a strained left calf.

The banged-up Nuggets will be without versatile swingman Rudy Fernandez (back) and center Kosta Koufos (left knee).

When Gallinari hobbled off the court on Feb. 6, tests revealed a chip fracture in his left foot. But further examinations showed the fracture wasn’t caused by his stumble and may have actually occurred before he joined the NBA in 2008.

The team was 6-7 without Gallinari.