After playing in just 16 games last season and overcoming testicular cancer, center Nene appeared in the first 31 this season. But he missed his first game Monday at Atlanta due to a stiff neck suffered when he fell Sunday at New York.

"Nene has had a great year," said coach George Karl, who said it's not a long-term injury but couldn't say for sure he'll play Wednesday at Toronto.

Nene, averaging 14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds, was replaced by Chris Andersen, who got his first start of the season a day after he didn't play for the first time this season due to a coach's decision.

The Nuggets definitely missed Nene in a 109-91 loss to the Hawks. They were out-rebounded 44-27, had trouble against the Hawks' big men and needed another scoring option.

"We really miss Nene for his scoring and getting rebounds," said guard Chauncey Billups. "It was a tough game."

HAWKS 109, NUGGETS 91: Chauncey Billups got frustrated, which doesn't happen very often, and it's rarely occurred since the Nuggets acquired the point guard Nov. 3 from Detroit.

With 2:33 remaining Monday at Philips Arena and the Nuggets on their way to falling to Atlanta, Billups got a technical for expressing his opinion to official Courtney Kirkland. Less than 1-1/2 minutes earlier, Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony had gotten one for offering an opposing viewpoint to official Tony Brothers.

"Chauncey (doesn't) really get mad. When he (gets) mad, I believe what's going on," said Anthony, who joined Nuggets coach George Karl in expressing displeasure with the officiating.

It was a frustrating night all around for the Nuggets (20-12). They learned before the game they wouldn't have center Nene, out after suffering a stiff neck in a Sunday fall at New York, although the injury is not serious.

Anthony played his second straight game after missing three with a right elbow contusion, and shot just 4-of-17 for 16 points. Karl said Anthony was affected by playing the second game of a back-to-back and Anthony concurred, saying his elbow was "sore."

The Nuggets watched as the Hawks (20-10) shot 12-of-23 from three-point range, with guard Mike Bibby going 5-of-6 and guard Joe Johnson 3-of-7 while both threw in several long ones at the shot-clock buzzer. Johnson scored a game-high 25 points and Bibby added 20.

One of the Nuggets' few bright offensive performances came courtesy of forward Kenyon Martin, who scored a team-most 19 points.