Nuggets F Anthony gets elbow treatment, hopes to play Tuesday

Dec 1, 2008 - 11:10 PM DENVER (Ticker) -- Carmelo Anthony is optimistic he will play in the Denver Nuggets' next game after receiving treatment Monday on his injured right elbow.

Anthony, who has been bothered by nagging pain in his elbow since training camp, played just 14 minutes in Sunday's 104-94 victory over Houston and did not return after leaving the contest in the second quarter.

Less than 24 hours later, Anthony underwent nearly 30 minutes of electronic treatment, which should speed up the healing process.

"(My elbow) feels good when I'm not doing anything," Anthony told the Denver Post. "But when I start to shoot and pass, that's when it starts hurting."

Anthony, 24, said he hopes to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors.

"(The team) is going to have to tell me (if I can play,)" he told the Post. "It's hard for me to say that I'm not playing. I'm not used to that."

Sporting a new haircut in an attempt to improve his image, Anthony has struggled offensively this season, averaging a career-worst 19.9 points while shooting just 39.9 percent from the floor in 16 games.

The 6-8 Anthony missed Denver's first two games this season while serving a league-mandated suspension stemming from a DUI last April.