Now the Knicks can add Carmelo Anthony to their growing list of sidelined stars, leaving last night’s 99-88 victory over the Jazz with a strained right groin.
Baron Davis’ return date from a bad back and infected elbow is a mystery fit for “The X-Files,” and Amar’e Stoudemire will be out indefinitely after the tragic death of his brother early yesterday morning.
Anthony was forced out of last night’s game after logging 5:47 and scoring two points in the first quarter.
Anthony went out on the Madison Square Garden floor in street clothes after the final buzzer, but was not present in the locker room once the media was allowed in.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said the forward was day-to-day,’ but stressed that it was “just a strain” and sounded confident Anthony could be back shortly.
“He’ll be revaluated [today],’’ D’Antoni said. “It’s usually a day or two [to see] does it swell up or is there blood? We’ll find out [today]. But it’ll be a couple days before we know the extent of it.’’
The All-Star got hurt right before throwing an alley-oop pass to Tyson Chandler. He faked a 3-pointer, then lobbed the ball to Chandler for a dunk and a 12-5 Knicks lead. But Anthony came up hobbling and holding his thigh. He called a timeout with 6:11 left in the quarter, and after being looked at by medical staff, never returned to the court.
Anthony sat out Jan. 14 with a sprained right ankle, and after shooting just 40-for-126 in six games upon his return, he admitted he rushed back too soon. Anthony sat two more games late last month with the ankle, left wrist and right thumb injuries.
Davis said his recent setback wasn’t due to his bad back, but rather an infected right elbow. It stems from an open cut, and worsened Jan. 27 in Miami.
He practiced that morning despite the pain, but it worsened the next day in Houston. He hasn’t practiced since that weekend, but said the elbow is “better” and he hopes to be able to do some cardio and shooting in the next few days, and perhaps practice fully by Monday.
“I’m looking to have a big week,’’ said Davis, trying to view the infection as a blessing in disguise that forced him to rest. He said it taught him not to “try to fight through every wall,’’ but admitted frustration at not having been able to help.
“I’m just as frustrated as anybody sitting over there on the bench knowing that I can’t help. That’s all I want to do, is to be out there and help my teammates. It’s so frustrating to know that you’re so close to getting back on the court and then have a minor setback.
“Throughout the whole process there wasn’t hardly any setbacks, just minor hiccups; and then that happened. I’ve just go to regroup and refocus.’’