Nuggets forward Nene sprained his left knee in Game 5 against the Jazz on Wednesday night and did not return.

He suffered the injury in the first half and will be re-evaluated on Thursday.

Utah forward Carlos Boozer banged his leg into Nene's knee and he remained on the court for several minutes before being helped off by Denver's trainer.

"I don't know how severe his injury is, but if he doesn't play we just have to play without him," Nuggets acting coach Adrian Dantley said. "Utah, they went without two players. We just have to play without him."

The Denver Post is reporting that the Nuggets fear Nene may have torn his ACL and will be lost for the season.