NEW YORK — Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony left his team’s 120-114 win over the Boston Celtics early in the third quarter Tuesday because of a right ankle sprain.
X-rays on the ankle were negative, according to the team.
Anthony, 31, initially suffered the injury with 1:20 left to play in the second quarter, when he rolled his ankle on the foot of referee Steve Anderson while running back on defense.
Anthony was taken out of the game at that time. He returned to the court to start the second half but left the floor in obvious pain just 20 seconds into the quarter.
“I didn’t have no strength in it to try to push off and get out there and play,” he said.
Anthony had scored 17 points in 18 minutes before departing.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher said the team probably won’t know Anthony’s availability for the game Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets until close to tipoff.
The Knicks (20-20) would be without their No. 1 option on offense if Anthony misses Wednesday’s contest. He entered play Tuesday averaging 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Even if he misses Wednesday’s game, Anthony expressed confidence he’d be back for the Knicks’ next game, Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies.