The Knicks are hoping Amar’e Stoudemire comes back during the postseason — although when is unclear.
The Knicks will open the playoffs on Saturday at home against the Boston Celtics, but Stoudemire may not debut until a potential second-round series after undergoing knee debridement in March.
“I’m not counting him out in terms of coming back,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson told reporters before Tuesday’s 106-95 loss in Charlotte, according to the New York Times.
“He will come back. I don’t know if it’s going to be the first round or the second round. We’ve just got to gauge it as we go along, but I think he will come back.”
Before Sunday’s game against Indiana, former Knicks and current Pacers President Donnie Walsh said when he gave Stoudemire a five-year deal worth $100 million in the summer of 2010, he wasn’t sure he would last all five years because of his history of knee troubles.
“I think when you do a deal like that, you’re aware that the guy might not make it,” Walsh said. “After I met him, though, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make it because I know he’ll do everything he can to get out on the court. I’ve watched him and he’s special that way.”
Walsh said he believes Stoudemire can make it back for the playoffs “because I’ve never seen a guy day in and day out work on his body like Amar’e does. So I hope he gets back, that’ll just make them.”
Stoudemire did not make the trip to Charlotte for Tuesday’s loss to the Bobcats, but he was courtside Saturday night for the Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center.
“We had a great last second half of the season stretch right there taking it on into the postseason so we’re looking pretty good,” he said.
KNICKS ADD RICHARDSON
After waiving big man Solomon Jones Monday, the Knicks signed guard/forward Quentin Richardson for the remainder of the season.
The 6-6 Richardson holds career averages of 10.3 points, on 39.8-percent shooting from the field and 35.5-percent shooting from three-point range, with 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 12 seasons with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix, New York, Miami and Orlando.
He has appeared in 31 postseason games (21 starts), averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds over 28.5 minutes.
The Chicago, native, last played in the NBA for Orlando during the 2011-12 season, averaging 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds over 18 minutes in 48 games (three starts).
He returns to New York after spending four seasons with the Knicks (2005-09), averaging 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds over 28.2 minutes in 241 games (206 starts).
Photo: NY Post
