By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com
BOSTONThe New York Knicks found themselves short-handed in the closing moments of Sunday's loss to Boston, as point guard Chauncey Billups suffered a left knee injury with 50.7 seconds to play and the score tied. And that may not change between now and Game Two on Tuesday.
"My knee just kind of buckled," Billups told CSNNE.com shortly after the game. "I'm not really sure what really happened."
Billups later told reporters that he "had no clue" if he would be able to play on Tuesday.
"We got a couple days, and I'll just be treating it as long as I can," Billups said.
Added Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni: "I know he's hurting right now and we'll find out Monday, I guess. I don't think it's anything more than it's going to hurt. If it hurts too much he can't play, and if it doesn't, he'll be ready to go."
Billups said he suffered a similar injury near the end of the season at Chicago.
Boston Celtics
"I kind of banged it in that game, and that little spot has been giving me some problems," Billups said. "But it was kind of minor. That's why I was wearing a little brace, just in case it got hit again. This time I just kind of took off, just kind of gave out on me."
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony spoke with Billups shortly after the game to see how he was doing.
"I asked him if he was alright. He said he was 'cool,' so I'm a go with that," Anthony said. "As far as him being out or anything like that . . . I'm pretty sure he'll be out Monday to get some treatment. But it's the playoffs. I'm pretty sure he'll be ready come the next game."
If Billups is unable to play, the Knicks would be without one of the few players they have with extensive playoff experience.
The 2004 NBA Finals MVP has appeared in 140 career postseason games, more than twice as many postseason games as any of his teammates. Stoudemire ranks second on the Knicks with 53 postseason games. The Celtics have three players (Ray Allen, Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce) with 100 or more playoff games to their credit, and another four (Glen Davis, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Rajon Rondo), who have appeared in at least 50 postseason games.
A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at sblakely@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http:twitter.comsherrodbcsn