PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson could be sidelined until January with a swollen right knee and wishes the Philadelphia 76ers would put him on the injured list.
The NBA's leading scorer has missed two of the team's last three games and said Tuesday he thinks he'll miss the 76ers' West Coast road trip that starts Dec. 26 at the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 76ers play four games before then, starting Wednesday at home against the Miami Heat.
"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."
Asked whether team doctors have let him know when his knee will be healed, Iverson said: "They can't tell me. Nobody's been able to tell me how long it's going to take."
He's averaging 28.9 points, 6.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds for the Atlantic Division-leading 76ers (12-12). He also is playing 43.7 minutes per game.
SPURS EXTENSION: San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich signed a contract extension Tuesday through the 2007-08 season.
Popovich, who is also the team's general manager, has led the Spurs to a pair of NBA championships during his seven years as coach, including last season's victory over the New Jersey Nets. He was the NBA coach of the year last season.
"I am very fortunate to have a group of players and a coaching staff that are quite special," Popovich said. "I look forward to more enjoyable years in this wonderful city."
Popovich has a career record of 355-195. The Spurs are 16-10 this season.
BULLS CENTER OUT: Bulls center Eddy Curry will miss two to four weeks because of a bone bruise on his left knee.
Curry, in his third NBA season, has never missed a game because of injury. He is averaging 13.5 points, second on the team, and 6.7 rebounds. He has made 46 straight starts, including 22 this season.
The Bulls (6-16) also said Tuesday they placed Scottie Pippen on the injured list following knee surgery last week. He has played in 12 games for the Bulls this season and is averaging seven points.