Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony sprains ankle in win over Celtics
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony sprained his right ankle in the second quarter of Tuesday night’s game against the Celtics and was ruled out for the game after a brief attempt to return, the team announced.
The Knicks announced X-rays on Anthony’s ankle were negative. He rolled it in the second quarter while attempting to plant as he ran upcourt and left for the locker room immediately. From the replay, it appears he may have stepped on the foot of a referee. He attempted to return for the second half, but returned to the locker room just 19 seconds into the third quarter.
Anthony has been playing at a high level of late, and the Knicks had won five of seven games entering Tuesday’s tilt, perhaps their strongest stretch of the season. Anthony is leading the team in scoring (22.6 points per game), rebounds (8.5) and assists (4.7) in New York’s past 15 games, up from his season averages of 21.7, 7.7 and 3.8. It goes without saying that losing him for any period of time would be a major blow for the Knicks, who appear to have found the makings of an identity around midseason as they chase a playoff spot.
New York pulled away late without Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, who had 26 points but fouled out mid-fourth quarter, to beat Boston 120–110.
The play on which Anthony was injured is below.
