Carmelo Anthony Expected to Play in All-Star Game Despite Injury


Bruised right arm be damned. Carmelo Anthony will more than likely suit up on Sunday for the NBA All-Star Game in Houston. Anthony is already in H-Town, and the NBA has reportedly been notified that he intends to play. Per the NY Times and Daily News: “Carmelo Anthony smiled as children raced past him to show off their shooting and passing skills Thursday as the N.B.A. began its annual All-Star weekend festivities. Anthony talked with fans, signed autographs and answered a few questions from youngsters during an N.B.A. jam session with his teammate Steve Novak. Anthony did shoot the ball a few times, too. At no point during his hourlong appearance did he appear to be in pain. The Knicks said they expected Anthony to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday despite the bruised right biceps he sustained in Wednesday’s 92-88 loss to the Toronto Raptors. The N.B.A. has also been given no indication that Anthony would not be in uniform for the game. Anthony is expected to speak with the news media Friday. […] The league, according to a source, was notified on Thursday that Anthony intended to play on Sunday. The Knick forward was elected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team in fan voting and Anthony could conceivably play just a few minutes and take the rest of the night off. That conversation between Anthony, the Knicks’ medical staff and Eastern Conference coach, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, will take place on Friday in Houston. If Anthony is unable to play, the NBA has the right to force him to miss the Knicks’ first game after the break, Wednesday against Indiana, but that is unlikely to happen.”