Carmelo Anthony to play, but ailing Jeremy Lin, Amar'e Stoudemire out

He's officially listed as questionable with a strained right groin that he aggravated in Monday's win over the Bucks. Anthony said on ESPN Radio Tuesday that he would play Wednesday night "for sure."

The Knicks already will be without Amar'e Stoudemire Wednesday night, and maybe the rest of the regular season with a bulging disc in his back. Also, Jeremy Lin is questionable and could miss his second straight game with left-knee soreness. Jared Jeffries also remains out with inflammation in his right knee.

These injury woes made Monday's win huge. The Knicks are two games up on the Bucks for the East's last playoff spot. Maintaining or building on that lead will be difficult based on the Knicks' physical state and schedule; 10 of their remaining 16 games are against teams at least five games over .500. "We've got 16 games left to get ready for the playoffs, we want guys healthy," Anthony said. "If Amar'e and Lin got to sit out the whole 16 games to get ready for the playoffs, to get healthy, we'll take that."

The Knicks didn't practice Tuesday, but Anthony and Lin got treatment and Stoudemire was in Miami for a second opinion on his back. There could be an update Wednesday.

Anthony tweaked the groin that forced him to miss seven games last month. But he said it's not nearly as bad. Lin said he's feeling better. If he doesn't play Wednesday night, he could return this weekend.

Stoudemire's condition is of greater concern. He's had a history of back problems and this latest episode could effectively end his season. Stoudemire is out indefinitely.

The team doesn't think Stoudemire needs surgery. He went to his doctor in Florida to confirm that. If Stoudemire has surgery, he'll miss the rest of the season and playoffs. If he responds to non-surgical treatment, he could return during this season or perhaps the playoffs.

With Stoudemire out, Anthony will be expected to be the player he's been throughout his career and carry the Knicks. He relishes that role, and responded Monday with 28 points, his highest-scoring game since Jan. 20. But he hasn't flourished in that spot as much this season as past years.

Various nagging injuries have played a part in Anthony averaging career lows of 20.2 points and 39.9-percent shooting. But he could turn around his disappointing season during which he's shouldered the blame for the Knicks' losses and Mike D'Antoni's resignation if he finishes strong and leads them to the playoffs. "A situation like this requires me to step my game up a little bit more, take it up a notch," Anthony said. "I love moments like this."

The Knicks will need more of them from Anthony.