Nugget's Martin sits out with sore ribs

DENVER — Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin is missing the game Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers with sore ribs.

Coach George Karl says Martin may also sit out Sunday night in Minnesota, giving the injury more time to heal.

Martin was banged up against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, but wasn't sure exactly how. Karl said it was "probably the wrestling match that Utah makes you play."

The defensive-minded Martin recently returned from a lower back strain that kept him out of the lineup for five games. He's averaging 11.7 points this season.

Johan Petro started in Martin's place.

BOGUT WILL MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON: Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut will miss the last five games of the season with a lingering back injury.

The team said Saturday the former top draft pick from the University of Utah should be at full strength for the start of training camp.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles says there wasn't enough time left in the season to follow the normal progression of gradually bringing a player back from a major injury. Typically, the player would participate in conditioning exercises and practice before returning to games.

Bogut suffered back spasms after taking a charge against Houston on Dec. 31. He played sparingly after that until tests revealed he had a stress fracture in his back.

Bogut played in 36 games this season. He averaged 11.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocked shots.

BELL'S CALF INJURY NOT SERIOUS: Charlotte Bobcats shooting guard Raja Bell's right calf isn't injured as seriously as first thought, and he'll be listed as day-to-day.

A team official says Saturday that Bell has a strained calf and will receive treatment. It's uncertain when he'll play again. The Bobcats visit Detroit today.

Coach Larry Brown says Bell felt his calf "pop" when he turned to run the other way to play defense early in the third quarter of the Heat's win on Friday. He fell to the floor and clutched his right leg.

Bell is averaging 13 points since being acquired from Phoenix in December and is Charlotte's top defensive player.