Cleanthony Early #17 of the New York Knicks shoots over...

Cleanthony Early #17 of the New York Knicks shoots over Jason Thompson #34 of the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Credit: Jim McIsaac

Cleanthony Early said his life has changed “forever but for the better” after being shot in the right knee during a robbery, calling the horrifying incident “a minor setback for a major comeback.”

Early, who is in his second season with the Knicks, posted a photo on Instagram on Thursday of himself in a hospital bed. He is recovering from Wednesday morning’s attack after leaving a club where, he said, he had been celebrating a friend’s birthday. In the photo, he is pointing toward the sky.

In the post, Early thanked God that he avoided life-threatening injuries when masked robbers boxed in his Uber cab, robbed him and shot him in the knee after he left a Queens strip club.

“Continue to count your blessings regardless,” Early wrote from the hospital. “I know I will, because I got shot but ironically I dodge a bullet. It could of been way worse and I’m thankful and grateful it wasn’t.

“This is a lesson learn for me and to you all as well, be safe out there, theirs people out here that want to hurt you just to hurt you, it’s the sad truth about life but don’t let them catch you slipping, & don’t let them take your Joy.”

“I’m not perfect,” he posted, “but I’m alive, learning & unlearning and God got me so I’m going to be all right! There was No major damage done Thank God, but this is one hell of an experience to recover from.

“Thank you all for your Thoughts and Prayers, I appreciate you all! Shout out to you beautiful souls for caring and sending all the love, it overpowers all hate everyday.”

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