Tracy McGrady’s knee doesn’t look anywhere near 100% and the Knicks’ newly acquired guard has been getting limited minutes because of it.  He had microfracture knee surgery over a year ago, yet he is still “working his way back.”  His knee bothers him most when the Knicks have games on back to back nights.  His first game with the Knicks was on February 20th, and he had 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 32 minutes of action.  The next game was the 22nd, and he was able to play 30 minutes and finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist.  The very next night the Knicks played the Celtics, and McGrady looked a step slow.  His shot was off and he played 27 minutes, finishing with 6 points, 8 assists, and 1 rebound.  He bounced back very nicely after the Knicks had a few days off, playing 26 minutes with 23 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in a win over the Wizards.  The Knicks had another game the very next night against the Grizzlies, and T-Mac could only play 15 minutes and sat out the second half.  His knee was still bothering him in the Knicks blowout loss to the Cavaliers, but he was able to play 24 minutes for 6 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds.  TMac seems to be a different player when he gets enough time to rest his knee, but whenever the Knicks have back to back games he is almost useless with his sore knee.

Back-up center Eddy Curry will miss at least the next six weeks due to knee surgery. He shouldn’t be much of a loss to the Knicks as he wasn’t playing much this season. He has played in 7 games (0 starts) for the Knicks this season and he is averaging 8.9 minutes, 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. The Knicks will probably let Curry take his good old sweet time in getting better.

The Knicks will be without Nate Robinson for the next couple of weeks with a sprained ankle. Robinson has played in 3 games (0 starts) for the Knicks this season and he has averaged 25.7 minutes, 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Robinson has had a awful time shooting the ball so far this season hitting 10 of 35 shots (28.6%) but the Knicks will still miss his energy off the bench. Larry Hughes and rookie Toney Douglas will have to step up while Robinson is out of action. Hughes has played in 1 game this season working 39 minutes in which he scored 18 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, stole the ball 4 times and he blocked 1 shot. He will likely get the bulk of the extra minutes while Robinson is out. But, the Knicks will also want to get a look at first round pick Toney Douglas. Douglas has played in 2 games off the bench for the Knicks this season and he has averaged 4.5 minutes, 1.5 points and 0.5 rebounds per game.

The Knicks have lost forward Jared Jeffries for the next 6-8 weeks due to a fractured fibula that he injured in practice. Jeffries played in 73 games (19 starts) for the Knicks last season and he averged 18.2 minutes, 3.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Jeffries was #3 on the depth chart at small forward for the Knicks so it’s unlikely that he was going to have a major role for the team this season. Still, they are better with him than without him.

Things just keep on getting worse for the Knicks this season. Eddy Curry will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to his right knee. He played in 59 games (58 starts) for the Knicks this season and he averaged 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Curry shot 54.6% from the floor but only 62.3% from the free throw line. David Lee should benefit with more minutes due to Curry’s injury.

The Knicks will be without Stephon Marbury for the remainder of the season due to his bum ankle. He only played in 24 games (19 starts) for the Knicks this season and he averaged 33.5 minutes, 13.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Knicks who will give young Nate Robinson the minutes he deserves.

Point guard Stephon Marbury will have surgery on Tuesday to correct a fractured bone spur in his left ankle. Marbury played in 24 games this season for the Knicks and he averaged 33.5 minutes, 13.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Marbury will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Nate Robinson.

Second year forward Renaldo Balkman will miss at least the next four weeks with a stress reaction and cartilage injury to his right ankle.  Balkman played in 68 games as a rookie and he averaged 4.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game off the bench.  Balkman was going to be nothing more than a reserve this season so the Knicks probably won’t miss him that much while he is out.

Quentin Richardson will miss the remainder of the season after having back surgery.  That’s too bad because he’s really played well for the Knicks this season.  He played in 49 games this season and he averaged 33.1 minutes, 13.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.  His outside shooting will also be missed as he nailed 37.6% of his three-point shots this season. 

Starting Shooting Guard Jamal Crawford will miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his right ankle.  This is a huge blow to the Knicks as Crawford was having a fine season for them and was a big reason they have been competing for the playoffs all season long.  Crawford played in 58 games this season and he averaged 37.9 minutes, 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.