Denver's Anthony is charged with DUI

He was pulled over for weaving and not dimming his lights, then failed a series of sobriety tests.

By ARNIE STAPLETON, Associated Press

Last update: April 15, 2008 - 2:36 AM

DENVER – NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony was arrested early Monday on suspicion of drunk driving, hours after his worst game of the season.

The Denver Nuggets forward was arrested on Interstate Hwy. 25, police said. Alone in the car, he was pulled over for weaving and not dimming his lights.

Detective Sharon Hahn said Anthony failed a series of sobriety tests. He was charged with DUI, then taken to police headquarters before being released to a "sober responsible party," Hahn said. Anthony is due in court May 14.

Mark Warkentien, Nuggets vice president of basketball operations, said the team was aware of the situation but declined to comment. The Nuggets did not practice Monday, and Anthony wasn’t available. He is expected at practice today.

His attorney, Dan Recht, said his client consented to a blood test, but results won’t be available for about two weeks. "Carmelo apologizes to his fans, the Denver community, his teammates and the Nuggets organization for the distraction this is causing them," Recht said.

The Nuggets (49-32) moved a half-game ahead of Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference on Sunday night when they beat Houston 111-94. Denver can clinch a fifth consecutive postseason berth by beating Memphis at home Wednesday night or if the Warriors lose at Phoenix on Monday night or against Seattle on Wednesday night.

Anthony was held to 11 points on 3-for-14 shooting against a Rockets team that was missing defensive specialist Shane Battier. Anthony did extend his NBA-best streak of double-digit games to 206.

On Saturday, he committed a flagrant foul against Utah’s Deron Williams that changed the course of a close game. The Jazz went on to win 124-97.

Anthony was named an All-Star starter for the first time this year. He’s fourth in the NBA in scoring (25.8) and is averaging 7.4 rebounds.