Livingston’s recovery headed to a new level

DENVER -- Slowly but surely the prognosis for injured point guard Shaun Livingston keeps getting better.

Livingston, recovering from a serious knee injury sustained nine months ago, has been cleared to move on to the strength portion of his rehabilitation after a recent visit with orthopedic surgeon James Andrews.

Livingston is accompanying the team on trips with a target date of February 2008 to resume full-on practices.

“That’s the goal,” Livingston said. “Is it for sure? No. But definitely February is the target goal and that’s what we are using December and January to push for.”

“Everything has been on a steady rise,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “Everything has checked out with the doctors. The healing process has gone really well. Now he’s on to the strengthening process.”

Livingston uses a special treadmill that limits the stress put on his left knee. The injury, suffered Feb. 26 during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, damaged three of the knee’s four key ligaments -- anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral.

“It’s going well,” Livingston said. “It’s on track. Slower than I would like. . . . But it’s not ready and I’ve just got to take my time and continue to get stronger. That’s the main thing.”

Livingston is also lifting weights and working on his jump shot. He is able to jump off the floor for shots, but still cannot cut on the injured knee.

“I’m leaving my feet, getting up on my jump shot, shooting off the dribble, shooting on the move,” said Livingston, 22. “Just kind of finding out where my body is.

“We got up to 500 makes and had to cut back a little bit. My body was tightening up. But it’s good just to see what I can do and what I can’t do.”

In 54 games last season, Livingston averaged 9.3 points and a team-best 5.1 assists.

He said one of his main goals while he recuperates is improving his shooting.

“It’s definitely better, but I haven’t shot in a game yet, so I can’t put the stamp on that until I get some shots in an actual real-life game,” Livingston said.

“My form is improved and I’m just continuing to improve. I want to come back as a shooter. A knockdown shooter.”

Until then, he can only wait and watch until he can resume his promising future on the court.

“I think I can help push the tempo just a little bit,” he said. “. . . I feel I can get the ball after a rebound. Push the fastbreak. Push the tempo. Get guys some easy shots.”

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com