Chauncey Billups’ left knee was improving but still sore, and the Knicks point guard said he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to suit up for Game 3 against the Celtics on Friday.
“It’s sore. [Wednesday’s cortisone shot] made it probably a little sorer, more sore [Thursday]. But that was to be expected,” Billups said. “Hopefully in the best-case scenario, it’ll calm down [Friday].”
Billups has a strained tendon in the knee, and the 34-year-old veteran hasn’t played since the final minute of Game 1.
Mike D’Antoni said he’s “less optimistic” on Billups playing than he is on Amar’e Stoudemire, who’s dealing with back woes.
Billups said the issue surrounds both pain tolerance and the knee restricting the way he moves and jumps. He said the concern isn’t worsening the knee.
“I don’t think I’ll be in a position where I can further hurt myself,” he said. “I just want to be able to run around out there a little bit. I know at this point there’s no way I’m going to come back and be 100 percent. But I don’t have to be 100 to come back. I just want to be able to help the team and not hurt the team, and if I can get to that point, then I’ll be out there.”
If Billups doesn’t return in this series, there’s at least some question whether he has played his final Knicks game. He has a $14 million option for next year, and president Donnie Walsh said the decision on the option won’t be addressed till after the season ends.