Nuggets' Martin expected back before end of year

DENVER (AP) -Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin will receive therapy on his aching left knee and is expected to return before the end of the season.

The team announced Monday that Martin will begin platelet rich plasma therapy, a treatment which uses a patient's own blood components to stimulate healing.

Martin has been playing through persistent pain and swelling in the knee the last few weeks.

However, the condition, which the Nuggets have described as chronic patella tendinitis, has apparently worsened in recent days, forcing Martin to miss the last two games.

Martin, who has undergone microfracture surgeries on both knees, is having his best season since joining Denver in 2004. He is averaging 11.8 points and 9.6 rebounds this season.