Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson will not play in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 18 due to a sprained right ankle. The injury has forced him to miss seven of the last eight games and will sideline him for tomorrow night’s game at Minnesota. Iverson originally suffered the sprain against Charlotte on Jan. 29 and aggravated it on Feb. 7 against New Orleans/Oklahoma City.

“I’m very disappointed that I can’t play right now,” said Iverson. “I was really looking forward to representing the Nuggets in my first All-Star Game with the West. However, I need to make sure my ankle is 100 percent for the stretch run. I want to thank the Western Conference coaches for selecting me and my teammates and coaching staff for putting me in a position to succeed. I couldn’t have made it without them. I also want to thank all the fans who have supported me and that voted for me as a starter. I wish I could play for you all.”

Iverson, an eight-time NBA All-Star and MVP of the contest in 2001 and 2005, was voted to the 2007 squad by Western Conference coaches on Feb. 1. It was the first time he has been selected as a reserve. He has averaged 26.8 ppg, 7.8 apg and 2.00 spg in 20 games for the Nuggets since being acquired from Philadelphia on Dec. 19. He is averaging 28.7 ppg (tied for third in NBA), 7.6 apg (10th) and 2.09 spg on the year.

Denver’s first game after the All-Star break is Tuesday, Feb. 20 at San Antonio on TNT.