Knicks’ forward Amar’e Stoudemire worked out on Tuesday with the Knicks’ D-League team at MSG Training Center and how his knee responds on Wednesday will set the course. Mike Woodson didn’t rule Stoudemire out to play as early as this weekend, but also made it clear he has no plans to rush the six-time all-star power forward back.

“It’s been pretty tough, knowing my competitive nature, but it’s been pleasing because we’re playing extremely well,” Stoudemire said of the team’s 18-6 start. “So that’s a gift and a curse. I want to play, but at the same time, we’re playing well, so that allows me time to recover and improve.”

There was some thought that, based on the 6-to-8 week recovery period originally set after his left knee injury, Stoudemire could be back in time for the Knicks’ nationally-televised showdown with the Lakers on Christmas Day, but Stoudemire downplayed it.
“I don’t know where everyone got that assumption that I’d be back Christmas Day,” he said. “I never made that assumption at all. I’m not totally sure I’ll be back by then.”

via Alan Hahn of MSG Sports Network