NEW YORK -- Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony missed Wednesday night's 110-104 loss to the Brooklyn Nets because of a sprained right ankle, but coach Derek Fisher said he is optimistic that Anthony will be in the lineup for the Knicks' next game Saturday against Memphis.
Anthony left the Knicks' win over the Boston Celtics early in the third quarter Tuesday because of a right ankle sprain. Lance Thomas started in place of Anthony against the Nets.
Anthony, 31, initially suffered the injury late in the first half on Tuesday, when he rolled his ankle on the foot of referee Steve Anderson while running back on defense. Anthony left the game and returned at the start of the second half, but he left the floor in obvious pain just 20 seconds into the quarter.
X-rays on the ankle were negative, according to the team.
With Anthony sidelined, the Knicks (20-21) were without their No. 1 option on offense against Brooklyn. Anthony entered play Tuesday averaging 21.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Including Wednesday's result, the Knicks are 1-3 in games in which Anthony is out with an injury.
"We don't want to make a steady diet out of playing without Carmelo on the floor, but all teams kind of go through this at some point, and we have to respond to it," Fisher said.
