DENVER -- Point guard Ty Lawson missed the Denver Nuggets' first practice after the All-Star break, and coach Brian Shaw is looking into Lawson's reason before handing out any sort of punishment.

Asked about Lawson's nonattendance, Shaw said: "Travel issues or whatever, he's not here. ... So we had to go without him." Shaw said one of the choices may be holding Lawson out of the starting lineup Friday in Milwaukee.

Lawson posted a photo on Instagram to clarify his absence. "Travel plans got derailed ....but I'm always ready to go war with my bros... I know the season hasn't gone the we all wanted to but I'm a nugget until the day I die," he posted.

Lawson leads the team in scoring (16.9) and assists (10.1).

His absence comes a day before the trade deadline, with several Denver players being bandied about in rumors. That includes guard Arron Afflalo, who said he won't pace the floor with anxiety because, "the circumstances are either playing in the NBA or playing in the NBA. I'll be fine."