Is this good news or bad news? I don't think anyone really knows for sure.
Via the New York Times, Amar'e Stoudemire told reporters on Monday that barring any major setbacks, he expects to be available for Game 3.
"I have no pain playing, running, jumping, cutting, slashing. I felt explosive," Stoudemire told reporters.
Stoudemire had knee surgery in March -- something called a knee debridement, which is basically just a knee clean-up procedure -- and only played in 29 games during the regular season.
Stoudemire scrimmaged 3-on-3 on Monday and said most of the holdup for him now is conditioning.
"Just cardio. I want to get in better shape, and I will," he said. "Once my cardio gets to where I want it and my health feels great and 100 percent, then I'm back out there."
The Knicks have been extremely successful this season playing Carmelo Anthony at power forward, but in this series against the Pacers, who feature a formidable front line, Stoudemire could have serious value. The Knicks are thin in their frontcourt and have had to rely on giving heavy minutes to Kenyon Martin, who other than Tyson Chandler, is really the only option. There's recently signed Earl Barron, but he's only an in-case-of-emergency player.
So Stoudemire's return could certainly be big for the Knicks against the Pacers. The question is if they'll be in an 0-2 hole when he gets back or if the series will be tied 1-1.
