"Monta actually did the whole practice today, which probably I wasn't supposed to (allow)," coach Don Nelson said. "It kind of ended up that way."

What does this mean? Ellis has only one obstacle remaining: game action.

Last week, Ellis ran up and down the court with teammates. Tuesday, he participated in a five-on-five scrimmage. Ellis wasn't limited at all. He ran, jumped, cut, spun, dived and held his ground on defense. And talked a whole lotta trash.

"He would look at me and smile every time he talked," guard Jamal Crawford said. "And I would smile back and talk back. It raised the level of practice, the intensity of practice."

Afterward, Ellis gave no inkling as to when he thinks he'll return to the court, or even put a percentage on his current health. He did nail down a few things: a) He's not coming back as a reserve but waiting until he's ready to start; b) The Warriors can still make the playoffs; and c) He's pretty much a game-time decision from this point on.

Oh, and he won't play tonight against Sacramento.

He said he is nowhere near game shape, as he spent a fair amount of time doubled over tugging his shorts Tuesday.

"No pain. No swelling. Nothing. Everything feels good," Ellis said, later adding, "Right now it ain't even the ankle. It's the condition work, getting back in the flow of things. ... Like I said, I'm going to take it day by day, continue to work hard, keep moving forward."

Ellis also addressed reports that he is unhappy with Nelson and the Warriors. Ellis tore ligaments in his left ankle while reportedly crashing a motorized scooter in August, about a month after signing a six-year, $66 million contract extension. The Warriors suspended Ellis without pay for 30 games for violating his contract by riding the scooter. The suspension expired last month.

"Listen," he said, switching his tone from friendly to dead serious. "Whatever it is about me leaving, wanting to go, 'I don't want to play for Nellie' that never came from my mouth. I don't know where they got that from. But I'm here for the next six years. I'm a Warrior. I'm always going to be a Warrior. Whoever put that out there, they did it because they wanted a story. I'm making it known right now. I'm a Warrior. I love playing for Nellie. I never said that not one time. So you don't have to worry about that."

Notes: Guard Marco Belinelli, who watched practice in a sweat suit, will be out at least 10 days with his sprained right ankle, the team announced. He was injured midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over Indiana and was helped into the locker room. X-rays were negative. ... Nelson said forward Jamareo Davidson will get a second 10-day contract. His first expires Thursday. If the Warriors want to keep Davidson past Jan. 25, they have to sign him for the remainder of the season. ... Center Andris Biedrins was given the day off. ... Swingman Kelenna Azubuike didn't practice with the rest of the team Tuesday. He suffered a strained neck in Sunday's game and is a game-time decision for tonight.

Contact Marcus Thompson II at mthomps2@bayareanewsgroup.comTODAY: vs. Kings, 7:30 p.m. TV: CSNBA. Radio: 680-AM