Kenyon Martin had a simple evaluation of his left knee Wednesday.
"It's still attached," he said.
Attached, yes. Fully operative, no.
Bothered by pain in the surgically repaired knee from the outset of the season, Martin limped into the All-Star break welcoming four days of rest.
The Denver Nuggets power forward was limited to less than 9 minutes Wednesday night during a 116-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He did not return after the first quarter.
"It's just in constant pain," he said. "Tried to play through it, couldn't do it. . . . I'm going to take the break, stay off my feet and see how it feels from there."
The abbreviated stint against Phoenix capped an eventful eight days for Martin, who was fined $15,000 Monday for using foul language in front of spectators after Denver's game against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 8.
Addressing reporters for the first time since the fine was handed down, Martin declined to comment on the NBA's decision.
"I've got nothing to say on that matter," he said. "Just leave it alone."