Joe

Smith

Smith, who said his hyperextended knee was feeling better, pedaled a stationary bicycle Wednesday.

The team has not placed Smith on the IL, but coach Terry Porter said he could not say when the veteran would return, citing the “touchy” nature of groin injuries. Marcus Fizer and Zendon Hamilton will continue to help fill the void.

It’s uncertain whether Smith will be ready for the start of the playoffs.

His first game back he’ll have to guard Tim Duncan.

Smith posted 25 on Sunday for a season-high, then had a repeat performance yesterday. He’s averaging 20 points a game and shooting 60 percent over his last five games. He’s got a lot of value with Keith Van Horn slowed by a sprained ankle.

Smith practiced Monday. If coach Terry Porter decides to start him, Daniel Santiago, who has been starting at center, would go to the bench.

He’s day-to-day, but we’re expecting to see Smith sit tonight’s game out, plus a few more.

Both players are day-to-day.

Smith has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.

At first glance, Smith doesn’t appear to fit in with the Nuggets, who already have Kenyon Martin, Nene, Eduardo Najera and possibly free agent Reggie Evans at power forward, but this could be a security move since the three guaranteed returning players had serious injury issues last season. Smith had problems of his own, succumbing to mid-season knee surgery, but may be the healthiest big body the Nuggets have right now. Oft-injured Marcus Camby is their starting center and Nene has yet to hit the court after missing last season with knee surgery. And we probably don’t even need to tell you that Martin is constantly minute-to-minute with his own knee problems. Smith may actually have some fantasy value because of Denver’s potential injury woes.