Jeremy Lin: Mike Woodson Rules out Linsanity for Playoff Series with Heat

Linsanity has almost officially reached its end. 

According to tweets by New York Newsday's Al Iannazzone and the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy, Knicks head coach Mike Woodson has announced that Jeremy Lin will not play for the remainder of New York's first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat:

"

Woodson said Lin is out for the series.

— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) May 8, 2012"

"

Mike Woodson says Lin is out tomorrow cause he's not medically ready

— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) May 8, 2012"

The news isn't incredibly surprising given Lin's tentative status throughout the last two months. The point guard hurt his left knee in late March and hasn't played since undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in April.

Officially losing Lin for the rest of this series—though it may only last one more game—is a huge blow for a depleted Knicks backcourt that is already without Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis due to serious knee injuries.

Then there's Amare Stoudemire. The power forward was a game-time decision for Game 4 after punching a fire extinguisher following New York's Game 2 loss to the Heat. He played admirably on Sunday despite undergoing a procedure to repair a muscle in his left hand, but there's no doubt that the injury will limit him somewhat going forward.

What It Means

The Knicks staved off a sweep in Game 4 behind dramatic performances from Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire, but how long can they truly last while three of the most prominent members of their backcourt are ruled out?

Before the slew of injuries, there was little confidence that the Knicks could compete with No. 2-seeded Miami. Now, a loss in this series is nearly a done deal.

What Comes Next

The Knicks take on the Heat at 7 p.m. on Wednesday for Game 5. The action will be televised on TNT.