Allen Iverson's swollen right knee could keep him out until the new year.

On Tuesday, Iverson, who leads the NBA in scoring with 28.9 ppg, said he expects to miss Philadelphia's upcoming west coast road trip, which starts on Dec. 26 at the Los Angeles Clippers, and the four games the Sixers play before it.

Things are so bad that he wants to be placed on the injured list.

"I honestly wish they could put me on the injured list so when I come to the games, I don't try to go out there and play. They tell me they don't have any room," Iverson said at practice.

"I don't want to go out West if I'm not able to play. The only thing that's going to do is bother me," Iverson said. "One day, I'll wake up and feel a little better and try and go out there and play, and that might not be the best thing."

"I'm not in a lot of pain. I'm not able to move like I want to move."

Team doctors have no idea when Iverson will be ready to return but the Sixers will not jeopardize his career by allowing to return early.

"We're not going to jeopardize his long-term career," 76ers coach Randy Ayers said. "We won't play him until he feels healthy enough to play, and I think you have to let players make that decision. We'll wait to see when he feels right."

Iverson's knee has been bothering since he fell on it during Philadelphia's game against Chicago on Dec. 4.

For now, Iverson is listed as day-to-day.