New York, NY

Power forward Amare Stoudemire will have to undergo knee procedure that will put him out of action for six weeks, leaving the New York Knicks without a serious low-post threat the remainder of the regular season.

"He's a big piece to the puzzle," coach Mike Woodson said. "It's a major loss to what we're trying to do but we're going to have to wait on him and continue our climb."

The team announced that Stoudemire is expected to undergo a knee debridement sometime in the coming week. A debridement is a form of arthroscopic surgery that removes debris.

Stoudemire sat out the team's morning shootaround when he felt soreness in both knees earlier Saturday. An MRI later Saturday revealed surgery was required.

If he is off the floor for the full six weeks, the earliest Stoudemire would return is April 20, three days after the final game of the regular season.

"We've just got to patiently wait and hope that everything goes well," Woodson said.

Stoudemire missed the first two months of the season while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

The procedure also was described as a debridement. The timetable for Stoudemire to return from the surgery earlier this season was six to eight weeks, and he needed the full eight to get back.

Stoudemire also underwent microfracture surgery in October 2005, but bounced back well from the procedure.

Because of knee issues, Stoudemire's five-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks is uninsured.

Stoudemire is under contract through 2014-15. He is scheduled to make $19.9 million this season and a combined $45 million over the final two years of his deal.

In 29 games this season, the 10-year veteran averaged 14.2 points and five rebounds in 23.5 minutes, shooting 57 percent from the field.

Aside from Stoudemire, another health concern for the Knicks is Carmelo Anthony, who missed his third straight game Saturday with a lingering right knee injury.

 

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