Carmelo Anthony Injury: Updates on Knicks Star's Knee

Another week, another Carmelo Anthony injury.

The New York Knicks superstar is putting together arguably the best season of his impressive career, but he can't seem to avoid the constant minor maladies. 

UPDATE: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 6:40 p.m. ET

The Knicks are suddenly going to have a very crowded bench. Not only will Amar'e Stoudemire be returning against the Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday night, but Anthony will be back as well.

From csnnw.com's Chris Haynes:

"

Got word Carmelo Anthony (hyper-extended knee) will play tonight vs #Blazers.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 1, 2013"

---End of update---

UPDATE: Monday, December 31 at 11:41 a.m. ET

Disappointing news for Knicks fans as Carmelo Anthony is questionable for the team's New Year's Day game against Portland, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.

"

According to the #Knicks injury board, Carmelo Anthony is questionable for tomorrow's game vs. Portland.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 31, 2012"

---End of Update---

Anthony, who has missed four games this season with various ailments, hyperextended his knee on Christmas and will miss Wednesday's contest with the Phoenix Suns because of it (via the New York Times' Nate Taylor):

"

Carmelo Anthony is out with a hyperextended left knee. Happen when Marcus Camby landed on him.

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) December 27, 2012"

UPDATE: Friday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. ET by Tim Daniels

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports Anthony is going to miss tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings.

"

No melo tonight.

— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) December 28, 2012"

The Knicks next play vs. the Portland Trail Blazers on New Year's Day. They hope Anthony will be ready to roll by then.

---End of update---

This comes as a bit of a surprise. 

After coming up limp against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, Anthony returned very quickly and played extremely well, scoring 34 points on 56.5-percent shooting. 

It seemed as though he would be good to go against the Suns, but his knee must have stiffened up over night.

Without Anthony, the banged-up Knicks are going to be even more shorthanded than usual.

Amar'e Stoudemire is close to returning from his knee injury, but he is still about a week away. Raymond Felton doesn't appear in good condition to suit up. Rasheed Wallace and Iman Shumpert are both still out. 

As a result, J.R. Smith and Steve Novak will likely see an increase in minutes, while Chris Copeland, who poured in 29 points during Anthony's last missed game, and James White could also be called upon in the star's absence. 

The Knicks' next game comes Friday at Sacramento. We'll be sure to keep you updated on Anthony's status. 

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