"Denver guard Allen Iverson will not play in Saturday's outdoor game in Palm Springs, Calif.

The all-star has a left knee contusion, which he aggravated in Friday's preseason victory against Minnesota, a game in which he scored five points and had nine assists in 23 minutes.

"It swelled up on me. I might have came back a little too fast after I got it drained," said Iverson, who won't make the trip. "Hopefully it won't swell up tomorrow and have to do the draining again.

"I look at the bigger picture. I can't start off the season struggling with an injury. I was blessed to play every game last season, and I want to do that this season." "