NBA teams
Jared Zwerling 11y

Melo, Raymond Felton both sit

NBA, New York Knicks

New York Knicks starters Carmelo Anthony and Raymond Felton didn't suit up Wednesday night for the team's 99-97 road win against the Phoenix Suns because of injuries.

Both players got hurt during the Knicks' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Anthony hyperextended his left knee when Marcus Camby fell on to him in the second quarter during an offensive play, and Felton broke his right pinkie finger in the third quarter when he and Steve Nash dived for a loose ball.

X-rays on Felton's right fifth finger revealed the fracture. The next course of action will be determined after his return to New York, but Felton won't play Friday against the Kings in Sacramento.

"I don't know the severity of it, but I know it is fractured," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said after Wednesday's game. "We've just got to go back and assess it. But, like I said, key guys get banged up here and there, and we have enough guys on our team."

Backup center Rasheed Wallace also did not play Wednesday because of a stress reaction and chronic condition in his left foot. Wallace is day to day.

Wednesday was Felton's first missed game of the season, Anthony's fifth and Wallace's ninth (seventh consecutive) because of injury.

In Anthony's absence, James White made his first start of the season, scoring two points in 18 minutes.

The starting five also featured Jason Kidd, Ronnie Brewer, Kurt Thomas and Tyson Chandler.

Also for the Knicks, Woodson said Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) should return on New Year's Day against the Trail Blazers barring any setbacks.

Jared Zwerling is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

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