Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks
NEW YORK (Sporting Alert) — Carmelo Anthony will not play in the Christmas Day clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday the New York Knicks have confirmed.
Anthony has been listed as a game-time-decision for the Knicks (9-18) with a sprained left ankle injury he suffered in the third quarter of New York’s 103-98 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night.
The star forward, who is averaging 26.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season, was hoping to play, but will sit out this one with the injury, missing his first game this season.
J.R. Smith will now start at small forward in place of Anthony.
After missing five games with an abdominal strain, Kenyon Martin will play in this fixture.
New York has been struggling to put together a consistent run this season and is 4-10 at home.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from the 104-98 defeat they suffered at home to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
New York: Beno Udrih (PG) Iman Shumpert (SG) J.R. Smith (SF) Andrea Bargnani (PF) Tyson Chandler (C)
Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook (PG) Thabo Sefolosha (SG) Kevin Durant (SF) Serge Ibaka (PF) Kendrick Perkins (C)
