Knicks point guard Raymond Felton has a fractured right pinkie that could keep him out 4-6 weeks, Newsday reported.
“It was basically purple when I got up this morning,” Felton said of his finger during an interview on MSG at halftime of the Knicks’ 99-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns, according to The New York Times. “It’s sore, and it hurts. Even though I really haven’t been myself the last couple of games shootingwise, I still want to be out there for my teammates no matter what. I can care less about stats as long as we win the game.”
The Knicks (21-8) announced that Felton, who injured the finger in the third quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the L.A. Lakers, would return to New York and miss Friday’s game against Sacramento and that a course of action would then be determined.
Without both Felton and Carmelo Anthony (hyperextended knee), the Knicks held off the Suns thanks to game-tying and game-winning jump shots by J.R. Smith.
Jason Kidd started in Felton’s place and finished with with a season-best 23 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Anthony was scratched after injuring his knee against the Lakers when Marcus Camby collided with him while attempting a layup.
Anthony had previously missed four games this season due to a cut left hand and a sprained left ankle. The Knicks are now 3-2 in games without Anthony, the NBA’s second-leading scorer.
Woodson told reporters in Phoenix that Anthony would not need an MRI and could play Friday in Sacramento.
“They are a big part of what we do, and they log a lot of minutes,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said of Felton and Anthony, according to the Times.
“Other guys have to step up. It’s just that simple.”
Photo: AP
