National Basketball Association

D'Antoni: Amar'e should return Wednesday

Published Feb. 14, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said Monday he believes Amar'e Stoudemire will play in Wednesday's first half of the season finale against the Atlanta Hawks and might be on the practice court Tuesday.

"I think he's fine," D'Antoni said. "He talked to me like he wanted to practice (Monday) so we'll see. But I think for Wednesday he's fine."

Stoudemire, listed as questionable for the game, was not available to the media. He missed Saturday's game against the Nets with a sprained toe.

After the Hawks game -- the Knicks' last before the All-Star break -- New York do not play until a week from Wednesday against Milwaukee. D'Antoni said the Knicks are not looking at it as a chance to give Stoudemire an extended rest by not playing him.

If he also skips the All-Star Game, Stoudemire would have 11 days off.

"No. No. Wednesday's a big game for us," D'Antoni said.

"He needs to play. Unless he's hurt ... we've got to attack each game as well as we can and try to get as many wins as we can."

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