Chris Andersen eyes return during Thanksgiving week

Turkey week could be punctuated by the return of Birdman.

Nuggets forward Chris Andersen plans to go through a full practice Sunday and could make his season debut as early as Monday at Golden State. Andersen has not played since having surgery in late-May to repair a partially torn patella tendon in his right knee.

“My knee’s doing really well,” Andersen said after shootaround Saturday. “I’m ecstatic about coming back. It’s been a long time waiting and I’m just trying to be optimistic and realistic at the same time.”

Though Andersen said he would like to “get the dust off” against Golden State, a return Friday at home against the Chicago Bulls is a more likely scenario.

“We’re hoping that he’ll play next week,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “We’re practicing (Sunday) and we’ll practice Tuesday because of that. Hopefully our Thanksgiving present will be Birdman back in the lineup.”