Carmelo Anthony Says Nagging Knee Injury Isn't 'Too Serious'
CLEVELAND (CBSNewYork/AP) — Exhale, Knicks fans.
Carmelo Anthony insists his mysterious, nagging knee injury isn't all that serious.
With New York trailing by 22 and playing poorly against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Anthony stumbled near midcourt after catching a pass and fell awkwardly to the floor. He got up, and appearing more embarrassed than hurt, immediately headed to the locker room with a slight limp.
Just before halftime, the Knicks announced that Anthony would not be back but offered no other details about his injury. Following the Knicks' come-from-behind 102-97 win, Anthony said the knee has been bothering him for several weeks.
"It's just sore, not pain, sore and stiffness," Anthony said in a crowded corridor outside New York's locker room. "It's been going on for a while now."
Anthony, who entered the game tied with Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant for the NBA scoring lead, said he underwent an MRI "a couple days ago." He said the test results were negative, and he does not yet know if he'll be able to play Wednesday night when the Knicks visit Detroit.
"The MRI came back great," said Anthony. "We don't think it's too serious."
With Anthony out, coach Mike Woodson needed every second he could get out of Amar'e Stoudemire, who powered the Knicks to the win.
"There is no one in this league that is 100 percent except for maybe a rookie," said Stoudemire. "But when you're playing 10 or 11 years you're never 100 percent. It is a matter of maintaining your health. I'm pretty sure Melo knows how to take care of himself."
Anthony had six points on just 1 of 5 shooting and three turnovers before going out.
"Today I just woke up and you know how some days you really don't feel right," he said. "I came out here and I tried to warm up and I thought it was going to loosen up before the game, but some of the things that I was doing I felt like I was dragging it."
How concerned are you about Melo's knee? Be heard in the comments...
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