Nuggets coach George Karl said Thursday the team is still awaiting results of some medical tests after doctors removed a testicular tumor from Denver forward Nene.
The Brazilian player's Web site posted a statement saying the tumor was benign, but the announcement was later removed.
"I don't think there's any question there's some positive energy, but I'm not going to interpret and analyze until we get all the information," Karl said before Thursday's game against the Jazz.
He said the team would likely know more by early next week.
The tumor was found last week in an exam by team physician Dr. Saurabh Mangalik.
Nene had said the tumor was found at an early stage.
MARBURY OPTS FOR SURGERY: Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury will have surgery on his left ankle and is out indefinitely. Marbury decided to have surgery after an MRI on Thursday during a second visit with Dr. William Hamilton, a specialist who earlier this week found that Marbury had inflammation around a chronically fractured bone spur. The surgery is expected to be on Tuesday.
SONICS SEEK MEDIATION: The Seattle SuperSonics are asking a federal judge to order a quick start to mediation, as well as a March trial date, in the team's legal fight with the city over its future in KeyArena. In a status report filed by both sides with U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman this week, the city agreed that mediation should start as soon as possible — but only if the Sonics' ownership group, the Professional Basketball Club, is prepared to discuss keeping the team in Seattle instead of following through on plans to move it to Oklahoma City. The Sonics have shown no such willingness.