National Basketball Association

Nuggets' Nene out with bruised right heel

Published Jan. 20, 2012 11:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

Denver Nuggets forward Nene is out of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards with a bruised right heel. Nene previously missed three games with a bruised left foot.

Coach George Karl said he expects Nene to play against former teammate Carmelo Anthony when the Nuggets visit the New York Knicks on Saturday night.

Kosta Koufos will start in Nene's place and Timofey Mozgov will return to the starting lineup. Mozgov started the first 14 games, but missed Wednesday's game in Philadelphia with a strained back.

Rudy Fernandez, who's missed the last two games with a strained right Achilles, is expected to play against Washington, Karl said.

Denver is playing four games in five nights.