Nuggets' Boykins out with broken hand

DENVER --Denver Nuggets guard Earl Boykins will be out four-to-five weeks after fracturing two bones in his left hand during a victory over Indiana.

Team officials said Thursday that Boykins won't need surgery, but his hand was placed in a cast and the guard was placed on the inactive list.

Replacing him was Julius Hodge, who was recalled from the NBA Development League, less than a month after he was assigned to the Austin Toros.

Boykins scored 9 points in Wednesday's 101-99 win over the Pacers. In 60 games this season, he is averaging 12.6 points and 1.4 rebounds.

Hodge, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound rookie swingman, was the Nuggets' first-round draft pick in 2005. He was assigned to Austin on Feb. 7, recalled on Feb. 24 and sent to Austin again Feb. 25.

He has appeared in 11 games for the Nuggets this season, averaging 1 point and 0.6 rebounds in 2.7 minutes.

Hodge has played in 11 games for the Toros, where he averaged 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 30.2 minutes.