Former Knicks Gallinari, Billups injured

Two former Knicks have suffered injuries that will cost significant playing time, and one is career-threatening.

Clippers guard Chauncey Billups, 35, tore his left Achilles tendon Monday night and will miss the rest of the season, the team announced Tuesday. Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari is expected to miss a month with a severely sprained left ankle that turned out to be less serious than first feared.

"I feel sick for him," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said of Billups when reached by ESPNLosAngeles.com. "He's such a pro."

The 14-year veteran was injured with 5:59 left in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' 107-102 overtime victory over Orlando. An MRI on the tendon Tuesday in Cleveland revealed the severity.

Tests on Gallinari revealed the chip fracture in his left foot didn't occur Monday night when he rolled his ankle in a game against Houston. Doctors said it was from a previous injury.

"I don't remember when it happened and if I did something in the past, but that's what they said," Gallinari said.