INDIANAPOLIS — Carmelo Anthony said nothing has changed, and he still is playing through a sore right shoulder.
Anthony said he doesn’t believe his lingering right-shoulder injury the club announced he had last month, and forced him to miss the Golden State contest on Dec. 13, will lead him to miss a series of games.
“I don’t think it will get to that point,’’ Anthony said before scoring 17 points in the Knicks’ 123-109 loss to the Pacers in the second of a back-to-back. “It’s just a tolerance level. I don’t think it’s a situation where to shut it down. Maybe a game here or a game there, [but] I think that’s overall rest than just my shoulder. I haven’t missed no practices. I’ve missed just one game since it happened.”
Anthony is often seen with ice on his shoulder since he injured it diving for a loose ball in Los Angeles. In the next game, after the morning shootaround in Golden State, the Knicks announced he would miss the game to rest his sore right shoulder. The soreness still is there, and he is getting treatment often.
Coach Jeff Hornacek said he is not concerned, especially after Anthony nearly posted a triple-double the previous two games and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in Milwaukee on Friday.
“The guy’s scored 30, 28, making big shots for us,’’ Hornacek said. “If he comes to me and says, ‘I can’t do it,’ I’ll take a look at it. He’s a veteran guy who plays with bumps and bruises. His shoulder has been sore, but the last two games almost getting triple-doubles? Veteran guys tend to know what to do and still play and contribute.’’
Hornacek said the plantar fasciitis Lance Thomas has suffered most of the season is improving. Thomas had a big game in Milwaukee with 10 points (4-of-4 shooting) and made the big dive-on-the-floor steal on Giannis Antetokounmpo that sealed the win.
“He’s playing like the Lance we all know,’’ Hornacek said.