Mike D'Antoni: Knicks' Chauncey Billups 'Very Questionable' For Game 2
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Chauncey Billups hurt his left leg in the final minute of the Knicks' 87-85 loss on Sunday night and wasn't sure if he would be able to play in Game 2 of their playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
According to Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, the starting point guard is "very questionable" for Tuesday night's game in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.
Billups was replaced by Anthony Carter with 51 seconds left and the game tied at 82. The point guard said doctors told him he had strained his left knee or thigh muscle.
If Billups is sidelined, Toney Douglas is expected to start in his place.
"I went to the basket and, as I took off on my leg it just kind of buckled on me," he said. "I really don't have a clue (if he'll be sidelined). I'm in a lot of pain right now, but that's to be expected."
He said he will receive treatment before Tuesday night's game.
Coach Mike D'Antoni said he didn't know Billups' status.
LISTEN: Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni after Game 1 loss
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After Billups left, Douglas hit a 3-pointer for New York, but Kevin Garnett scored on an alley-oop for Boston and Ray Allen hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds to play.
Billups scored 10 points on 3-for-11 shooting with four assists and three turnovers in 34 minutes, 30 seconds.
He said he had a similar injury "on a smaller scale" in the next to last game of the regular season, a 103-90 loss to the Chicago Bulls in which he had 10 points in 28:40.
"I kind of banged it in that game and that little spot has been giving me some problems, but it was kind of minor," Billups said. "That's why I was wearing a little brace, just in case it got hit again. This time ... I just kind of took off and it gave out on me."
Douglas started the six games Billups didn't play since being traded by the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 22.
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