Knicks at Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping to have point guard Russell Westbrook on the court when they host the New York Knicks on Friday. Westbrook will be evaluated to see if his hand injury has progressed enough for him to play as the Thunder hope to dig out of an early-season hole. The status of New York star Carmelo Anthony is also in doubt after he missed Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks with back spasms.
Anthony suffered the injury during Monday’s loss to the Houston Rockets when he felt painful spasms and could barely move after the game. Coach Derek Fisher told reporters that Anthony wasn’t even participating in practices and shootarounds and was receiving treatment at the team hotel. Oklahoma City halted a six-game losing streak on Wednesday by recording a 97-82 victory over the Utah Jazz.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Oklahoma (Oklahoma City)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (4-12): Point guard Jose Calderon stepped up as a lethal scoring option with Anthony out by matching his career high of seven 3-pointers while scoring 21 points. Calderon also grabbed 10 rebounds but was unable to prevent New York from losing for the 11th time in 13 games. “I am feeling healthy and getting into a rhythm,” said Calderon, who was playing in just his third game of the season due to a calf injury.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (4-12): Speculation that Westbrook is ready to return was heightened when backup point guard Sebastian Telfair was waived after Wednesday’s game. Forward Kevin Durant (foot) is also close to a return but might not be ready until sometime next week. “The last couple of days in practice, they did some contact things on the court, so that was good,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said of his two stars. “That has been progressing over the last couple of weeks.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Oklahoma City has won five of the past six meetings.
2. Knicks G J.R. Smith scored 15 points against Dallas but was 1-of-8 from 3-point range and committed seven turnovers.
3. Thunder SG Jeremy Lamb scored 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting against Utah after going 9-for-32 over the previous four games.