Knicks opt to rest Melo against mighty Warriors
OAKLAND, Calif. — Carmelo Anthony’s right shoulder has been acting up the past two games, the Knicks star said, leading him to take a rest day against the Warriors on Thursday night.
Derrick Rose also sat out with back spasms against the league’s best team, which topped the Knicks 103-90 to move to 23-4.
After saying at the morning shootaround he would play, Anthony flip-flopped after getting back to the hotel, saying his recently “bruised shoulder’’ needed a break.
Anthony said he first injured it in the first quarter in Los Angeles on Sunday diving for a loose ball. With 1:51 left in the quarter, Anthony reached out his right arm as he dove for the ball, his shoulder colliding with the hardwood and he began wincing.
A team official said the decision to rest Anthony was made after shootaround Thursday, when the Knicks got back to their hotel. Anthony confirmed he didn’t feel good enough after working out in the hotel gym.
More likely he wanted to be 100 percent when the Knicks return on Saturday to Denver, where they have a real shot at a win and where he toiled for eight seasons.
“It was not being able to feel full strength, knowing I can’t be out there at the top level at full strength,’’ Anthony said. “We wanted to play it safe. I’m not looking at games, I’m looking at days. I’m looking forward to playing in Denver and utilizing the next couple of days.’’
Anthony said Wednesday he was dealing with “bumps and bruises.’’ He had struggled the previous two games: a wretched 3-of-15 shooting in Phoenix on Tuesday, following a 4-of-16 outing against the Lakers.
Anthony said the injury affected his shot.
“Totally. That’s everything — being able to extend the shoulder for a follow-through, rebounding, passing the ball,” he said. “During the game, a couple of times a couple of crosscourt passes, the strength wasn’t there. It’s figuring out what I can do and can’t do. I definitely didn’t want to miss this game but it’s best for my shoulder.”
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek started Lance Thomas for Anthony and Brandon Jennings for Rose.
On Wednesday, Anthony said he would take a rest day soon, but wanted to put it off until after the current trip. The Knicks planned on sitting Anthony for the Cavaliers game last week, but he wanted to play.
“I think everyone needs a rest day, to be honest with you,’’ Anthony had said. “I think if you’re an NBA player, professional athlete, you need a rest day. It’s a matter of when you take it, how you take it. The decision is not just mine. It’s a collective as a whole.’’
This was the first game Anthony missed this season after playing in the first 25 games for the first time as a Knick. His shooting percentage has declined to 42 percent.
Hornacek said that during his playing career, rest days were not part of the game.
“We never took off,’’ Hornacek said. “We never took off. Karl Malone and John Stockton never missed practice, let alone a game. Until that last year with the Lakers when he had knee surgery Karl missed like seven games in his career and they were all suspensions. John had surgery one time and missed a few weeks. That was it.’’