Denver Nuggets reserve guard Earl Boykins missed Tuesday night's game against the Charlotte Bobcats with a strained left hamstring, ending a streak of 253 consecutive games played.

Boykins' streak was sixth among current NBA players. Boykins, hurt during Monday's practice, averages 12 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Boykins hopes to be back by Thursday when the Nuggets play at Cleveland. He hadn't missed a game since the 2002-3 season, but was hardly concerned about losing the streak.

"I'll get a new one when I come back," he said before the game. "I'll just start at one."

Denver forward Kenyon Martin, who missed the last two games with left knee tendinitis, was back in the starting lineup at Charlotte.