Karl attends practice on eve of playoff game

It didn’t take long for the players to line up for handshakes and hugs.

“It was really fun to see the looks on our players’ faces,” Nuggets vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman said. “You could tell how much they missed having him around.”

For the first time since completing radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Nuggets coach George Karl attended practice at the Pepsi Center, providing an inspirational lift to the team on the eve of Game 3 of its first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

“It was a phenomenal surprise,” point guard Chauncey Billups said. “It was great to see him. He was looking good.

“Anytime you get a chance to see him and know that he’s doing good, it just puts you in a great mindset. We’re sitting here and guys are still a little mad that’s it’s a 1-1 series. You look at a real-life situation like that, and you’re like, ‘Man, what the hell am I talking about?’ ”

Karl, who is recovering from throat and neck cancer, spent about 15 minutes watching the team practice before making his way back downstairs. It is still difficult for him to talk, so he kept his words to a minimum.

“His energy was looking a little bit better,” forward Carmelo Anthony said. “Still a long way from being 100 percent, but it’s good to see him taking little steps to get better.”

Nuggets guard Coby Karl said his dad told him Wednesday that he might stop by practice. The elder Karl is slowly regaining his strength and energy from a rigorous six-week treatment program.

“I get to see him every day, but it was good to see him in the gym,” Coby Karl said. “Just as much as he can start getting around the team, it will help the team and help him. It’s a starting point. He’ll probably judge how his body took it and go from there.”

George Karl has not coached a game since March 16 and is not expected to join the team during the Utah series. He could return to the bench if the Nuggets advance beyond the first round.

Right now, Karl’s health is the top priority.

“If we get a boost from (Thursday’s visit), that’s icing on the cake,” Chapman said, “but obviously the main thing is that he’s up and around and smiling a little bit. It was good for everybody to see.”