J.J. Hickson (knee) will not play in the Nuggets' preseason opener Monday against the Lakers, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports.

Hickson (knee) will not play in the Nuggets' preseason opener Monday against the Lakers, Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

While he's been cleared for full contact, Hickson will not play Monday, as the team continues to exercise caution in bringing him back after an ACL tear. He should be back in the mix at some point during the preseason, but he'll sit the first five games of the regular season for violating the league's anti-drug program.