Though Tyson Chandler said he “absolutely’’ expects to be on the Brooklyn floor Thursday for the season opener despite his left-knee bone bruise, nobody can say when Amar’e Stoudemire and his ailing left knee will step onto a court again.
According to a confidant of Stoudemire, the Knicks’ ailing power forward will have his MRI exam looked at by his former orthopedist with the Suns for a second opinion. Stoudemire is not visiting Phoenix, however.
Stoudemire was holed up in the treatment room Friday at the team’s Westchester campus. He hasn’t spoken to reporters in eight days — since he made his preseason debut in Montreal and reported feeling fine.
The Knicks have given a timetable of at least two to three weeks, but coach Mike Woodson said Friday he really doesn’t know when Stoudemire will be back as he battles his latest injury — a ruptured cyst in the back of his left knee.
Contrary to reports, however, Stoudemire did not have microfracture surgery in 2005 on his left knee. It was his right knee.
“I have been speaking to him,’’ Chandler said. “My whole thing is for him to stay mentally strong right now. I know he wants to be out there. It’s more important to have him out there healthy. Right now we got to keep his spirits up.’’
The Knicks have talked about Stoudemire in graver terms than their timetable suggested. Carmelo Anthony, last Saturday in Syracuse, called Stoudemire’s situation “sad.’’
Nevertheless, the Knicks’ wobbly frontcourt rotation is sharpening into focus for opening night, with Chandler and Rasheed Wallace a yes and Marcus Camby and Stoudemire a no-go.
In fact, Woodson said he doesn’t expect Camby (calf strain) back at practice until at least Tuesday. That would be four weeks since he first hurt himself after the Knicks gave him a 7-to-10-day timetable.
The Knicks’ frontcourt depth is already being tested. Kurt Thomas, 40, will start at power forward on opening night, probably alongside Chandler.
“Hopefully we can pick up the pieces and hold the fort until the guys get back,’’ Woodson said. “I’m hoping that’s the kind of team we have. I feel good about the team we assembled in that regard. Last year we had so many injures and got caught off balance not having enough to support those injuries. This year I think we do.’’
At least Chandler is on pace. Nursing a bone bruise he suffered in Wednesday’s preseason finale, he didn’t practice yesterday and had treatment. The MRI exam result was a sigh of relief for Chandler, who thought there was structural damage with his ligaments, either a sprain or tear.
He is listed as “day to day’’ and is shooting to return to practice Monday.
“I’m doing good, good news all the way around, looking forward to being back on the floor with my teammates,’’ Chandler said. “I’m hoping I can get back on the floor Monday. I just got to take it easy the next couple of days, let it come down a little bit. ’’
Woodson was more cautious than Chandler, saying he couldn’t say for certain his starting center will be ready.
It all means the press is on for Wallace, The Knicks didn’t have any full-court scrimmage Friday — only halfcourt. It was the first time Wallace participated in contact drills and is expected to play Thursday after missing the entire six-game preseason schedule with conditioning issues.
“I thought Rasheed looked pretty good,’’ Woodson said. “He got through the conditioning and banging. I think he’s going to be fine. He’s got to be in a little more game shape.’’
Saturday, Wallace will compete in his first full-court scrimmage and Woodson is just hoping he’s the same defender he was before he retired in 2010.
“I’m just looking for, can he keep up?,’’ Woodson said. “Can he still compete and do the things necessary from a defensive standpoint. I still think he can make a shot. That’s not my worries. My worries is making sure he can defend the post, get up and down and defend the pick and roll actions.’’
Chris Smith, who had left knee surgery early in camp, was waived Saturday.