NBA

Chandler hurts knee in Knicks’ preseason victory, will have MRI exam

The Knicks injury-wracked preseason couldn’t get worse, could it? It could and it did.

“Thank God exhibition is over,’’ coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday night.

Amen. It was capped by Tyson Chandler’s left-knee injury after a spill 44 seconds into the game after he banged into Gerald Wallace while setting a screen, took a tumble and missed what turned into a meaningless 97-95 overtime preseason finale victory over the Nets at the soldout Nassau Coliseum.

Chandler will have an MRI exam Thursday. He left the locker room on crutches, but said he believes it’s just a knee sprain and not an ACL tear. Nevertheless, even if it’s just a sprain, it is disheartening because it could put Chandler out for the season opener in one week in Brooklyn against these Nets, joining Amar’e Stoudemire and possibly Marcus Camby on the shelf. Knee sprains can take up to one to two weeks to heal.

“I am just hoping that it is not much, so I can continue to work with the guys leading up to the first game,’’ Chandler said, crutches by his side in the locker room. “I felt great before the game. I was excited. I was up for this game to set tempo moving into the first game of the year and I play 44 seconds.’’

Asked what happened on the play, Chandler said, “I stretched my knee out a little and it was awkward. My foot was planted when he fell into me and it took my knee outside. I did not feel it until I landed. They told me to stay off the knee until I get an MRI.’’

Asked his level of concern, Chandler said, “Not much,’’ but his spirits seemed down.

The Knicks won despite Carmelo Anthony scoring just 15 points on just 4 of 13 shooting and three turnovers.

Mike Woodson looked tense afterward, admitting there is a knot in his stomach regarding the slew of injuries that has hit the Knicks.

“Absolutely,’’ Woodson said. “Sure I do. But I’m not going to sit and panic and complain. It’s a long season. Whoever’s in uniform I’m going to try to win with.’’

The win was indeed hollow. The sight of Chandler crashing to the floor, wincing, and hobbling off the court and into the locker room was the lasting impression of their wobbly preseason that ended 3-3.

The preseason ended with four Knicks having a wasted October. Stoudemire and J.R. Smith played just once. Camby and Rasheed Wallace didn’t play at all. There’s a chance their two frontcourt starters and two frontcourt backups will miss the opener.

At best, the Knicks ability to develop chemistry this preseason became the story of October.

Anthony said he believes Chandler will be fine.

“We have a week to get him back,’’ Anthony said. “The only injury I’m worried about is Amar’e’s. The depth we have, we are deep.’’

Before the injury, Chandler received two signs of disrespect in 24 hours. First, Lakers center Dwight Howard said he was “robbed’’ last season of winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award, won by Chandler. Next, the NBA announced it is removing “center’’ from the All-Star ballots, making fans vote for three “frontcourt players.’’

As long as he’s healthy, Chandler had his best chance of being voted in as center with Howard out West and Sixers newcomer Andrew Bynum is still injured. Chandler has never made the All-Star Game even as a reserve.

There’s a good chance now of two small forwards being tabbed — LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony — and a power forward, Chris Bosh.

“It’s about the fans’ vote,’’ Chandler said. “Fans will vote on who they’ll like to see. If they want to see you, they’ll put you in. My name’s still on there. If you deserve to go, you’ll go and if not, the coaches will put you in.’’

When told the strong possibility of no center being voted onto the starting lineup, Chandler said, “They’re the positions they want to see. It’s the skill positions. It’s almost like a pickup game. They don’t make centers like they used to. ’’

Chandler shut down Howard in their meetings last season, making it even more surprising the sore-backed Laker would minimize Chandler’s victory.

“It’s unfortunate he feels that way,’’ Chandler said. “He’ll get a shot this year.’’

The NBA’s decision shows the league is moving away from traditional centers.

“It’s definitety the case,’’ Chandler said. “There’s only a few true centers in the league. Honestly I don’t care much about that. I care about winning the division and making a championship run. What happens in February I couldn’t care less at this point. Maybe I’ll be asking for your votes later on.’’

For now, all Chandler cares about his being healthy.

marc.berman@nypost.com