Knicks Point Guard Raymond Felton Expected To Undergo Surgery, Miss 4-6 Weeks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Knicks point guard Raymond Felton missed Wednesday night's game against the Suns due to injury, and it doesn't appear that he'll be back on the floor any time soon.
The seventh-year player told reporters on Wednesday night that he has a fracture in his right pinkie, which was found after he underwent an X-ray at halftime.
The former first-round pick is expected to have surgery and will likely miss four to six weeks.
"I may need surgery,'' Felton said. "I've got to do what's best for my hand so I can get back and help this team.''
Felton sustained his injury while fighting for a loose ball with the Lakers' Steve Nash on Christmas.
Felton has returned to New York, where a decision will be made about how to treat his broken right pinky finger.
"It felt like it was this bad because there was also pain in my thumb," Felton said, according to the New York Post. "But I didn't think it was this much. I was hurt and angry."
The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has battled and played through several hand injuries this season, but it looks like this particular one might get the best of him.
"(The pinkie) is swollen," Felton said. "It was basically purple when I got up this morning. It's sore and it hurts."
Luckily for New York, it has plenty of depth at the point-guard position. With Felton on the sidelines, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni -- both of whom have played very well this season -- will shoulder the load.
Still, losing Felton will be a blow to Mike Woodson's team.
"I'm sure if he could play, he would play,'' Woodson said before the game. "I'm sure it's bothering him. Raymond's a tough cookie. He plays hurt. I've known that throughout his career. It's one of the reasons we brought him aboard. He's tough. He has struggled the last few weeks with his hands. If he could play, he would play."
Felton is averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds in his second tour of duty with the Knicks.
Superstar Carmelo Anthony also missed Wednesday night's game with a hyperextended knee, but the injury doesn't appear to be serious.
Amar'e Stoudemire is expected to return to action on January 1, and Iman Shumpert will likely return later that month.
How big of a blow is this, Knicks fans? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
