Tyson Chandler, Kurt Thomas to have MRIs on return home
Tyson Chandler wipes his face in the second half of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. (March 3, 2013) Credit: Jim McIsaac
SALT LAKE CITY -- Tyson Chandler and Kurt Thomas are expected to undergo MRIs on their respective injuries when the Knicks return home Tuesday.
Chandler bruised his left knee in Wednesday's loss at Denver, but his strained neck is more of a concern right now. He sat out Monday night's game against the Jazz because of that and will undergo tests Tuesday.
"It's bothering him," Mike Woodson said before the Knicks tried to salvage the five-game trip and get their first win. "We've got to probably get him examined when we get back. We'll play that by ear as we head back up the road. I'm sure he'll be examined when we get home."
Chandler's neck has been an issue on and off throughout the season, and the Knicks want to know the cause.
Before the game, Thomas had an X-ray of his right foot that revealed a bone spur. There is fear that he might have a stress fracture. He will have an MRI Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury.
Thomas called it "great news" that his foot isn't worse, and he was expected to play Monday night. But the Knicks continue to be in rough shape, and depending on the MRI results, they might look to add another player.
Carmelo Anthony, who had fluid drained from his right knee Thursday, missed his third straight game. He hopes to return Wednesday. But Amar'e Stoudemire (right knee surgery) and Rasheed Wallace (left foot surgery) are out for at least the rest of the regular season.
If the Knicks add someone, they will have to release a player because they have no roster spots. James White has been out of the rotation lately, but it might not make sense to waive a healthy body; the Knicks need as many as they can get.
Woodson said he and general manager Glen Grunwald will talk when they return from this trip and discuss what their options are.
Thomas said he injured himself in Thursday's loss in Portland, which means he played with the injury against Clippers high-fliers Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan on Sunday. Thomas started the last two games at center for Chandler.
Woodson decided to go small Monday night against the Jazz with Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni, Iman Shumpert, Chris Copeland and Kenyon Martin.
It was Prigioni's first NBA start, leaving J.R. Smith, Steve Novak, Stoudemire and Wallace as the only Knicks not to start a game this season.
