Nash not ready to return

Already out for 1 1/2 games, Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash is not expected to play tonight against Atlanta because of a sore right shoulder, but he said he doesn’t expect to be sidelined long.

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Denver guard Allen Iverson won’t travel with the Nuggets on a two-game trip after aggravating his sprained right ankle in Wednesday’s loss to New Orleans.... Dallas Mavericks backup center DJ Mbenga will miss the rest of the season because of a torn knee ligament suffered in Wednesday’s victory over Memphis.... Dogs owned by Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest have spent 77 nights at the pound since July because of poor care, costing Artest $1,942 in boarding and impound fees, Placer County records show.... Gilbert Arenas will get another shot at Dirk Nowitzki in the Feb. 17 All-Star weekend three-point contest. Nowitzki won last year, beating Arenas, 18-16, in the final. The other entrants are Jason Terry, Jason Kapono, Mike Miller and Damon Jones.