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as if the defense wasn't bad enough already
Tyson Chandler out 4-6 weeks
Tyson Chandler out 4-6 weeks
New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler has a small non-displaced fracture of his right fibula and is expected to miss four to six weeks, the team announced Wednesday.
Chandler left Tuesday's game against the Bobcats in the first quarter after suffering the injury during a collision with Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker.
Further tests on Chandler's leg conducted Wednesday showed the fracture. The Knicks say Chandler, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12, did not suffer any ligament or nerve damage and will not need surgery.
Chandler is arguably the second-most important Knick behind Carmelo Anthony, so New York will be hard-pressed to fill the void left by his injury.
Currently, the Knicks have Kenyon Martin, Amar'e Stoudemire and Cole Aldrich as possibilities at center. Head coach Mike Woodson wanted to use to the Stoudemire and Martin in a platoon rotation on a game-by-game basis in an effort to keep both healthy for late in the season.
Both Martin and Stoudemire have been on a minutes restriction with Stoudemire being brought along slowly due to knee issues. Now Martin, 35, could see more minutes than anticipated.
Andrea Bargnani, who is a 7-footer but more of a perimeter player, and forward Metta World Peace may also have to be counted on to try to help with interior rebounding.
Chandler has averaged 7.3 points and 9.0 rebounds through New York's first four games this season. He had five blocks in the season-opening win over Milwaukee and had 19 rebounds and four blocks in a loss to the Bulls.
After Tuesday's loss to the Bobcats dropped the Knicks to 1-3, Woodson expressed his displeasure with the team.
"Our defense, it stinks right now," Woodson said. "We got to get it fixed. In order for us to stay in the race you're going to have to defend and rebound the ball."
And they will have to find a way to do it without their best defender for at least a month.
"I just pray and hope that he's fine, he's all right," Anthony said after the Knicks' loss.
Chandler left Tuesday's game against the Bobcats in the first quarter after suffering the injury during a collision with Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker.
Further tests on Chandler's leg conducted Wednesday showed the fracture. The Knicks say Chandler, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-12, did not suffer any ligament or nerve damage and will not need surgery.
Chandler is arguably the second-most important Knick behind Carmelo Anthony, so New York will be hard-pressed to fill the void left by his injury.
Currently, the Knicks have Kenyon Martin, Amar'e Stoudemire and Cole Aldrich as possibilities at center. Head coach Mike Woodson wanted to use to the Stoudemire and Martin in a platoon rotation on a game-by-game basis in an effort to keep both healthy for late in the season.
Both Martin and Stoudemire have been on a minutes restriction with Stoudemire being brought along slowly due to knee issues. Now Martin, 35, could see more minutes than anticipated.
Andrea Bargnani, who is a 7-footer but more of a perimeter player, and forward Metta World Peace may also have to be counted on to try to help with interior rebounding.
Chandler has averaged 7.3 points and 9.0 rebounds through New York's first four games this season. He had five blocks in the season-opening win over Milwaukee and had 19 rebounds and four blocks in a loss to the Bulls.
After Tuesday's loss to the Bobcats dropped the Knicks to 1-3, Woodson expressed his displeasure with the team.
"Our defense, it stinks right now," Woodson said. "We got to get it fixed. In order for us to stay in the race you're going to have to defend and rebound the ball."
And they will have to find a way to do it without their best defender for at least a month.
"I just pray and hope that he's fine, he's all right," Anthony said after the Knicks' loss.
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