Andrea Bargnani's season in jeopardy as Knicks forward remains without timetable

Andrea Bargnani is averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds this season. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani's recovery was without a timetable back in January when he suffered a torn ligament in his elbow, and Ian Begley of ESPN tweeted this week that despite nearly two months of rehab, the 28-year-old Italian native could be out for the rest of New York's regular season.

With the Knicks in the hunt for the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed, Begley tweeted that Bargnani is still experiencing soreness in his elbow and his availability for the playoffs remains up in the air. No surgery was planned back in January. A report citing an elbow surgeon said Bargnani's injury typically takes three to six weeks to heal, which would put his return date sometime in March.

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When Bargnani was healthy, head coach Mike Woodson often employed a small-ball approach with Carmelo Anthony at the four and Bargnani seeing time at center. With the 31-year-old Tyson Chandler now as healthy as he'll ever be and Amar'e Stoudemire playing some of his best basketball in 18 months, New York will likely not rush Bargnani back despite still needing healthy bodies for a push into the playoffs.

The Knicks are said to be closing in on a deal that would name Hall of Fame NBA coach Phil Jackson as the team's next President of Basketball Operations. While Jackson will look to turn the franchise around, the fans are scheduled to show their frustration with the franchise during an organized protest outside Madison Square Garden on March 19 before the team hosts the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers.

In 42 games this season, Bargnani is averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 29 minutes per game for the 25-40 Knicks.

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