A ROCKY NIGHT: Denver fans enjoyed watching their Nuggets dismantle Carmelo Anthony’s team (above), while the Knicks were more concerned with Tyson Chandler, who left last night’s game with a knee injury in the second quarter. (AP)
A ROCKY NIGHT: Denver fans enjoyed watching their Nuggets dismantle Carmelo Anthony’s team (inset), while the Knicks were more concerned with Tyson Chandler, who left last night’s game with a knee injury in the second quarter. (Getty Images; AP)
DENVER — The Knicks must be cursed.
The Knicks’ crisis went from bad to unthinkable Wednesday night. “The Melo Game’’ turned into a nightmare as center Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony didn’t finish because of knee injuries as the lifeless Knicks were clobbered by the Nuggets, 117-94, at Pepsi Center .
The Knicks announced Chandler had a left knee contusion, and Anthony bolted early in the third quarter and will head back to New York to have his right knee drained and likely will miss the rest of the West Coast trip — if not more.
Coach Mike Woodson called Chandler “probable’’ for tonight against the Trail Blazers in Portland, but he was limping badly in the locker room, and Chandler said he was unsure of his status and has refused to take an X-ray.
Meanwhile, J.R. Smith afterward questioned the team’s “heart.’’
Anthony, booed during pregame introductions and even more vigorously when he handled the ball in the first half in his return to the building that was once his home court, was rattled, rusty and hobbled. He left the game early in the third quarter with his lingering sore right knee after going 3-of-12 for nine points — 0-of-5 from 3-point range — and getting beaten continuously on defense.”
“I just didn’t have it,’’ Anthony said. “I tried it. I think it was just time for me to give it some time and get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. It started tightening up. I felt I had no pop or power. I tried it in the second half and couldn’t move.’’
“I’m just going to get it drained, get the fluid out, so I can get back on the court,’’ Anthony said.
There is no timetable for his return but a medical expert said it could only be a week before he returns unless there is more to it. Nevertheless, fluid in the knee is a symptom of larger problems — possibly cartilage damage or arthritis.
Early in the fourth quarter, a loud, taunting chant of “Where is Melo?’’ rang out in the thin Denver air as the Nuggets (44-22) won their 10th straight game — the longest winning streak in coach George Karl’s Nugget reign. With 1:30 left, the fans chanted “Who needs Melo?’’
Smith, also playing with a knee injury, ripped the team.
“We got to check out our heart right now,’’ Smith said. “We either got to compete or pack and go home. I’m very disappointed because we didn’t give the effort we should have. I don’t mind losing, but we just go out there and get demolished when we’re considered one of the best teams in the division. It’s not a good look for us.’’
Chandler left the court, needing assistance, unable to put pressure on his leg, as the Knicks season got punched squarely in the face again with the third member of their “Trio Grande’’ facing knee issues.
Anthony said he wasn’t daunted by the hostile crowd.
“It wasn’t too bad,’’ he said. “Of course, they were supposed to cheer for their team and boo the Knicks. I wanted to come back there at 100 percent and give the Knicks fans what they wanted to see and help my teammates to the win.’ ‘
Anthony waved the white flag with 9:45 left in the third quarter, the Knicks down 26. During a timeout, Anthony headed to the locker room with a security man and trainer. The deficit grew to 31 points.
The Knicks are now 0-2 on this five-game trip fast developing into a disaster. After losing the first two games by a combined 52 points, they face Trail Blazers tonight and probably will be without Chandler, whor hasn’t missed a game all season.
I don’t think it’s necessary,’’ Chandler said. “I kind of know my body. I’m just sore. If I can get up and down the floor tomorrow, I’m going to suit up.’’
Chandler banged knees with Corey Brewer as they were battling for position. Chandler dropped to the court, clutching the knee, slapping the floor in pain. He stayed down for a minute and needed help as he hobbled off the court with 1:28 left in the half and the Knicks down 20.
The Chandler injury and Anthony’s KO in the third were even bizarre developments by Knicks standards as he made his first appearance in Denver since demanding a trade during the 2010-11 season. If Chandler is lost for a lengthy period, the Knicks might as well kiss their title-contending status and good playoff seed good-bye.
Chandler had a similar injury in the final preseason game against the Nets, left Nassau Coliseum on crutches, but made it back for the season opener eight days later. Amar’e Stoudemire is already out at least six weeks after left knee surgery.
Anthony was booed every time he so much as laid a fingernail on the ball in the first half as the Nuggets built a 64-42 lead at the intermission. Ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari, included in the February 2011 trade, looked solid to add insult to the Knicks injuries. Gallinari scored 10 points in the game’s first 11 minutes, finished with 16 and harassed Anthony. He also couldn’t keep up with Wilson Chandler, who looked faster than a speeding bullet in getting to the rack, finishing with 13 first-half points (5 of 6).
Ex-Nugget Smith came in with 6:20 left in the first quarter and heard more cheers than Anthony. But then he got cheered when he threw the ball into the seats in the second quarter.
As much as Anthony cared about his knee, he cared about last night’s reception. At the London Olympics in August, he asked a familiar face from Colorado: “Do you think they’ll boo me?’’
The answer was a resounding yes. They booed when he threw in an inbounds pass. Booed him when he got an offensive rebound. Booed him when he committed a hard foul on Kenneth Faried. Booed him when he traveled. Booed when he finally got to the foul line with 4:28 left in the half.
Before the game, Karl was asked who won the trade. He didn’t quite answer it completely until his club took the court and moved to 29-3 at home this season.
“I don’t know the criteria for winning,’’ Karl said.“The criteria for most of my career is the team that gets the best player wins. New York got an All-Star player. We also got the ability to redo our team. … [I] think we regrouped in a confident way and we’re excited about what’s going to happen,’’