PHILADELPHIA — As Raymond Felton looks in, Jason Kidd looks out.
The heavy workload of filling in for Felton as starting point guard for the last month has finally taken its toll. Kidd has reinjured his back, didn’t make it to Temple University for Friday’s practice and probably will miss Saturday night’s game against the 76ers.
Kidd took a shot to the back in Boston on Thursday. Earlier this week, coach Mike Woodson said he wanted to send Kidd to the bench when Felton got back because he felt he had worn Kidd down. Now he may rest this weekend as the Knicks play this back-to-back against Philly tonight and Orlando tomorrow at the Garden.
“Every day I tell him I’m sorry,’’ Woodson said. “He’s a major piece that I’d hate to lose. If he tells me he’s hurt a little bit I’ve got to back off. With Raymond being back I’m definitely going to start lowering [Kidd’s minutes] a little bit and playing him in different spurts, especially if we need him down the stretch. That’s when he’s more valuable.’’
Kidd missed four games earlier this season with back spasms, which always a concern for the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer.
“I don’t think we acquired him to come here and play 30-plus minutes,” Woodson said.
Felton scrimmaged 4-on-4 for the first time yesterday at Temple, and his right pinkie made it through. He was expected to be cleared by Dr. Lisa Callahan last night to make his return.
“I got hit on it a couple of times, smacked down on the ball a couple of times, but I feel good,’’ Felton said.
When Felton broke his pinkie on Christmas in Los Angeles, Woodson feared his point guard could gain weight and lose the great condition he had been in since arriving for training camp. But Felton said he has been running “like a track star.’’
“I felt a little burn in the chest, but that’s normal,’’ Felton said. “Other than that, I really wasn’t that tired. Playing four on four, going up and down. Not playing in four weeks, you think I would be tired, but I wasn’t. Like I said, I’ve been running like a track star since I’ve been out. So I’m still in shape.”
Anthony said he can’t wait to add Felton, which will take the scoring burden off him. Melo has had to increase his shot attempts recently and his shooting percentage has dropped.
“Raymond’s coming back, [Iman] Shumpert’s starting to get his groove back, Amar’e’s getting his groove back,’’ Anthony said. “We’re ready to make a run.”
* Rasheed Wallace, out since mid-December, didn’t attend practice, because the only running he’s doing is on a special treadmill that doesn’t put full weight on the feet.
Woodson said Wallace may begin running on the court next week. The coach made an interesting remark, saying if today were a playoff game, Wallace, who has a stress reaction in his left foot, would play. It has become clear the Knicks are not rushing Wallace because they only care about him being ready for the playoffs. They are fearful Wallace will suffer a season-ending stress fracture if he comes back too soon. … Woodson sounded down on rookie Chris Copeland, who had been starting at small forward because of injuries. Now James White will get the nod. Woodson has been on Copeland for his defense. “He hasn’t been practicing hard enough,’’ Woodson said. … 76ers center Andrew Bynum still hasn’t played, with his debut scheduled after the All-Star Break.