Well, at least Knicks center Tyson Chandler won?t require surgery.
And so ends the good-news portion of the Knicks? day.
Chandler suffered a right leg fracture ? officially ?a small non-displaced fracture of the right fibula,? according to the team ? and is expected to be lost for 4-6 weeks. For a team already struggling defensively, the absence of its best interior defender could have crippling repercussions, even in the short haul.
?He?s our anchor down there on the defensive end, so we miss him big-time,? Carmelo Anthony said.
Chandler was injured at the 5:25 mark of the first quarter Tuesday when he collided with Charlotte guard Kemba Walker during the Knicks? disheartening, defense-optional 102-97 defeat. There was no immediate diagnosis after X-rays were inconclusive, but the Knicks presented the verdict following additional exams Wednesday.
For the immediate future, the Knicks could give more minutes to 6-foot-11 center Cole Aldrich, who has averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in limited time over three pro seasons. Andrea Bargnani at center is an option, at least on the offensive end. The Knicks could re-sign 6-foot-10 forward/center Jeremy Tyler once he gets healthy. Tyler, who was cut at the end of training camp, has a foot injury and currently is in the D-League.
And so ends the good-news portion of the Knicks? day.
Chandler suffered a right leg fracture ? officially ?a small non-displaced fracture of the right fibula,? according to the team ? and is expected to be lost for 4-6 weeks. For a team already struggling defensively, the absence of its best interior defender could have crippling repercussions, even in the short haul.
?He?s our anchor down there on the defensive end, so we miss him big-time,? Carmelo Anthony said.
Chandler was injured at the 5:25 mark of the first quarter Tuesday when he collided with Charlotte guard Kemba Walker during the Knicks? disheartening, defense-optional 102-97 defeat. There was no immediate diagnosis after X-rays were inconclusive, but the Knicks presented the verdict following additional exams Wednesday.
For the immediate future, the Knicks could give more minutes to 6-foot-11 center Cole Aldrich, who has averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in limited time over three pro seasons. Andrea Bargnani at center is an option, at least on the offensive end. The Knicks could re-sign 6-foot-10 forward/center Jeremy Tyler once he gets healthy. Tyler, who was cut at the end of training camp, has a foot injury and currently is in the D-League.
