Carmelo Anthony Has Knee Surgery; Recovery May Take 4 to 6 Months
By ZACH SCHONBRUNFEB. 19, 2015
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Carmelo Anthony underwent successful surgery on his left knee Thursday, a procedure that might require four to six months for recovery.
“Let the rehab process begin,” Knicks Coach Derek Fisher said.
The Knicks declined to say where the operation had taken place and what exactly had been done. On Wednesday, the team said that Anthony’s surgery would include “left knee patella tendon debridement and repair.”
Fisher created a moment of confusion Thursday when he said the operation had been conducted on the right knee. Fisher then clarified that when he said “right,” he meant “correct.”
Some fans have criticized Anthony, questioning the timing of the operation and whether it was necessary for him to put off surgery until he played in the All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.
Anthony clearly wanted to be part of the event and the festivities that went with it, but some wondered if he should have had the operation a month ago or earlier, given how long he will be out of action.
The timetable for Anthony’s return, as laid out by Phil Jackson, the Knicks’ president, could be as long as four to six months. That could jeopardize Anthony’s readiness for training camp next season.
Anthony, who will turn 31 in May, has been dealing with knee pain since the opening month of the season.
Fisher said that Anthony’s absence and the approaching trade deadline did not affect the team’s ability to hold a lively practice on Thursday as it prepared to face the Miami Heat on Friday, starting the closing stretch of a season that cannot seem to end soon enough.
“The guys were good,” Fisher said.
