It does not appear Denver Nuggets coach George Karl will receive a pardon from the commissioner's office.

According to two league sources, the NBA is expected to stand by the three-game suspension that was handed down after Karl violated league rules regarding college players.

Karl is set to miss Denver's opener Nov. 1 in San Antonio and home games against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 2 and Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 4.

As recently as this week, Karl held out hope the suspension would be reduced.

"You never know," he said. "I put that in the hands of (Nuggets general manager) Kiki (Vandeweghe) and (commissioner) David Stern and (deputy commissioner) Russ Granik. I've pleaded my case. I don't think I need to go back in the past and do it again."

Karl was suspended and the Nuggets were fined $200,000 after the coach attended May workouts involving college players, including son Coby, who were not yet eligible for the NBA draft.

With Karl forced to watch his team's first three games on television, assistant Scott Brooks is the likely candidate to assume the coaching duties.