SYRACUSE — Amar’e Stoudemire left the Knicks on Sunday to get an MRI that revealed a ruptured cyst on the back of his left knee. The affliction is known as a Baker’s cyst or popiteal.
Stoudemire will be out two to three weeks and miss the season opener in Brooklyn on Nov. 1.
“He was having discomfort last night in Albany, so we sent him home,” coach Mike Woodson said.
Stoudemire is “frustrated,” Woodson added.
Stoudemire made his preseason debut Friday in Montreal, scoring 18 points against the Raptors after missing the first two games with a bruised knee.
In Stoudemire’s absence, Kurt Thomas started at power forward. Woodson also has the option of using another wing player and moving Carmelo Anthony to power forward, a position he thrived in last season.
“It’s sad right now, it seems he can’t catch a break,” Anthony said. “It’s sad for him mentally getting all the knick knack injuries. We got his back. We’ll hold it down for him.”
Anthony added that he expects to play a good amount of power forward in Stoudemire’s absence.
Woodson said Thomas will start against the Sixers on Monday and Ronnie Brewer will get the nod at shooting guard after having a strong practice at the Carrier Dome on Sunday.