Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire had surgery on his left hand to repair a small muscle Tuesday and the Knicks didn’t give a timetable whether he will return for the first-round NBA playoff series against the Heat.
According to sources, the Knicks don’t expect Stoudemire back for the best-of-7 series, which Miami leads 2-0. In a statement, the Knicks announced Stoudemire is out for Game 3 on Thursday, doubtful for Sunday’s Game 4, and will be “reassessed’’ if the series is extended.
Because of the size of the gash and amount of stitches needed to close the gruesome wound Monday night on the side of his left hand, the Knicks have to move on without their starting power forward.
Stoudemire delivered a punch of frustration at the glass panel of a fire extinguisher in the hallway leading to the locker room moments after he left the court following the 104-94 loss to the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena on Monday.
One of the reasons the cut was so large and gruesome was because he delivered the punch while walking briskly past and did not stop. That caused deeper cuts on the side of the hand from the glass.
Stoudemire visited a hand specialist Tuesday in New York for a re-evaluation, and no tendon or ligament damage was found, as the Knicks initially diagnosed Monday night. Stoudemire lost a lot of blood Monday night as paramedics, Heat doctors and trainers, and the Knicks medical staff attended to him in a trainer’s room.
Stoudemire injured himself in Game 2 of the first round last year against the Celtics in pregame warmups, hurting his back on a trick dunk.