Groin injury could keep Robinson out of dunk contest

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Nate Robinson was removed from the Knicks' starting lineup for tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings. But will a groin injury force him to miss the Slam Dunk contest?

The 5-9 guard, who could become the NBA's first three-time dunk champion, sat out yesterday's practice with a nagging left groin strain. Mike D'Antoni said Robinson is expected to be available for tonight's game, which is the last for the Knicks before the All-Star break.

Despite Robinson's importance to the Knicks as the first guard off the bench, D'Antoni will let Robinson decide whether to compete in the dunk contest Saturday. "That's him," D'Antoni said. "He has to tell me how he feels. If it bothers him, the best thing to do is to rest. But if he's OK to compete, it's a fun weekend, the NBA has asked him to do it, he's the defending [champion], so I can understand why he wants to. But he has to know his body and know what's best for him."