Nuggets' Nelson out vs. Blazers with lower back strain

Denver Nuggets point guard Jameer Nelson will not play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night due to a lower back strain, according to The Denver Post's Chris Dempsey.

This will be the first game the 33-year-old has missed this season for the 2-4 Nuggets.

Randy Foye will be asked to step in and play minutes as the primary backup to rookie Emmanuel Mudiay at the one spot in Nelson's absence.

Nelson is averaging 7.3 points and 5.3 assists in 24 minutes per game after signing a reported three-year, $13.5-million contract with the franchise over the offseason.