Allen Iverson out with back ailment

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 3 (UPI) -- The Detroit Pistons decided Friday to sit guard Allen Iverson for the rest of the regular season because of his ongoing back injury.

The move follows comments by the outspoken Iverson about his limited playing time.

The 12-year veteran returned to the court against his former squad, Philadelphia on March 29 following a 16-game absence due to a sore back and was put behind Michael Curry in Detroit's starting lineup.

"After talking with Allen and our medical staff, we feel that resting (him) for the remainder of the season is the best course of action at this time," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. "While he has played in our last three games, he is still feeling some discomfort and getting him physically ready to compete at the level he is accustomed to playing this late in the season does not seem possible at this point."

He did not say if Iverson would play if the Pistons qualify for the playoffs.