Injuries Force All-Star Roster Moves

Allen Iverson, above, will miss the All-Star Game; Jason Kidd is uncertain. (By David Zalubowski -- Assiociated Press)

Allen Iverson will skip the All-Star Game because of a sprained right ankle that has bothered him for two weeks.

Iverson was chosen as a reserve to the Western Conference squad for Sunday's game in Las Vegas, but the Nuggets guard has missed seven of eight games since spraining his right ankle Jan. 29. The eight-time all-star aggravated the injury Feb. 6 against the Hornets.

"Here is a guy who has always played with injuries and always played banged up. So if he's not able to play in the All-Star Game, he must be really hurt," teammate Marcus Camby said yesterday.

Also yesterday, the Nets said all-star G Jason Kidd will miss the team's next two games because of a strained lower back. Kidd said he has not decided whether to play for the East. "We are taking it day by day," Kidd said in a statement. "I have not made a final decision at this time."

Kidd had played in all 52 games this season for New Jersey -- a feat matched on the Nets only by guard Vince Carter.

NBA Commissioner David Stern chose Ray Allen of the SuperSonics and Mehmet Okur of the Jazz as injury replacements for Iverson and Steve Nash (shoulder) in the All-Star Game.

· ILGAUSKAS OUT: Cavaliers starting C Zydrunas Ilgauskas did not travel with the team to Utah and may miss Cleveland's final two games before the all-star break because of personal matters.

· TRADES: San Antonio traded F Eric Williams and a draft pick to Charlotte for F-C Melvin Ely in an exchange of veteran backups. The Spurs said that the draft pick is a second-round selection in 2009. . . .

The Grizzlies traded C Jake Tsakalidis to the Rockets in exchange for F Scott Padgett.

-- From News Services

Allen Iverson will skip this Sunday's All-Star game in Las Vegas with a sprained ankle, and New Jersey's Jason Kidd is contemplating not playing as well.