PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson might not miss up to a month
after all.
Iverson partially dislocated his right shoulder in a collision
with Chris Childs in the fourth quarter of the Philadelphia 76ers'
91-71 loss to the New York Knicks Friday night.
|  | | Allen Iverson leaves the court in the second half Friday after partially dislocating his shoulder. |
Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the team physician, said Saturday that
Iverson will be out 1-to-3 weeks, not 2-to-4 as originally
expected. Iverson, who has played through numerous injuries in his
career, was not placed on the injured list, which would have
required him to sit out at least five games.
"He told me he didn't want to go on the injured list," 76ers
coach Larry Brown said. "You have to admire kids like that."
Iverson missed 10 games with a broken thumb early last season.
But he played with a partially torn and bruised rotator cuff, a
chip fracture in his right ankle, a broken left toe and an inflamed
right elbow. He played with a left hip pointer Friday night.
Considering Iverson's willingness to play through pain, Brown
wouldn't be surprised to see him return sooner.
"I don't want to put any pressure on him to come back," Brown
said. "That's a decision his family has to make and he makes. We
have to do what's best for him."
Iverson is averaging 25.3 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds.
He led the Sixers to a franchise-best 10-0 start and the NBA's best
record entering Friday's game.
Iverson began rehabbing the shoulder Saturday, and did not speak
to reporters after practice.
McPhilemy said the results of an MRI test late Friday night
were, "very, very good." There was no damage to Iverson's
shoulder joint or rotator cuff.
"With Allen, we're optimistic," McPhilemy said after changing
the prognosis. "(Rest) would be my advice and the organization's
advice, but you're dealing with Allen. He likes to play
basketball."
Philadelphia has struggled since its fast start. The Sixers are
8-8 since winning their first 10 games, and have lost four of their
last six games -- all home losses.
The team has played its last eight games without point guard
Eric Snow, who is out 6-to-8 weeks with a stress fracture in his
right ankle. Center Matt Geiger continues to miss games with
recurring pain and muscle weakness in his right leg, and rookie
guard Speedy Claxton has been out since the preseason with a knee
injury.
"If you look back in retrospect, it's a miracle we're 18-8 with
all the injuries we've had," Brown said. "The games we won are in
the bank. Now we have to hold the fort. I'm concerned we're going
to dig a hole for ourselves."
The Sixers signed swingman Rodney Buford on Saturday and brought
back point guard Kevin Ollie on Friday to add depth. Ollie is
expected to start and Buford might get significant minutes.
"The system is tough, but I should be able to pick up the plays
quick," said Buford, who had been playing in Italy.
The Sixers cut Iverson's best friend on the team, Vernon
Maxwell, on Friday. To make room for Buford, point guard Pepe
Sanchez was placed on the injured list with bursitis in his left
hip.
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ALSO SEE
Iverson injures shoulder in Sixers' loss to Knicks
Iverson miffed that 76ers cut Maxwell
AUDIO VIDEO
 Coach Larry Brown admires Allen Iverson's willingness to play through pain.
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