NEW YORK - Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony said Sunday he was thrilled to get back on the court following his 15-game suspension for fighting.

"I have been going crazy for 36 days waiting to return," the NBA's leading scorer said in a statement.

"All my life playing basketball has come easy to me, but not being able to play has been the most difficult thing I have ever experienced as a player."

Monday's night's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies will not only be Anthony's return to the court but it also marks his debut with newly acquired team mate Allen Iverson.

A seven-times All-Star and the league's third-leading scorer, Iverson, 31, came to the Nuggets in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers while Anthony was serving his suspension.

The trade for the veteran guard sparked concerns that two prolific scorers could not co-exist on the same club. Anthony averages 31.6 points, while Iverson scores 29.5 a game.

Anthony has said he was looking forward to playing with the NBA's 2000-01 MVP, but made no mention of his new team mate in his statement to fans published on the Nuggets' Web site (www.nuggets.com).

"I've spent this time off working on my game and reflecting on who I am," he said. "And who I want to be. I want all of you to know that I plan to be better, stronger and smarter on the court than I've ever been before.

"I've never been more dedicated to becoming the best player and team mate that I can be. It has been very tough watching the team play without me, knowing that my mistake has made it very difficult for my team mates, the franchise and the fans."

Anthony, 22, was suspended for his part in a brawl with the New York Knicks on December 16 at Madison Square Garden, a melee that resulted in 10 ejections and seven suspensions.

Denver is 20-17 and sits in second place in the Northwest Division, five games behind front-running Utah.