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1999 NBA Playoffs

Ewing's playoff run done

Knicks lose captain to partially torn Achilles' tendon

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Posted: Wednesday June 02, 1999 08:56 PM

  Not only did he miss the game-tying shot on Tuesday, now Patrick Ewing will miss the remainder of the Knicks' playoff run. AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- Patrick Ewing, plagued by injuries all season, will miss the rest of the playoffs for the New York Knicks because of a partially torn Achilles' tendon.

Ewing underwent tests this morning that confirmed the injury, just hours after he missed a potential tying shot at the buzzer in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers in Indianapolis.

The 36-year-old center will be in a cast for six weeks, the team said. The 14-year veteran has been slowed all season by his sore Achilles, and also has struggled with sore knees. He was out for most of last season after breaking his wrist during a game.

Ewing does not need surgery and a full recovery is expected, said Dr. Norman Scott, the team's physician.

The injury to his left Achilles' tendon happened during warmups before Tuesday night's game. Nonetheless, Ewing played, scoring 10 points and grabbing three rebounds in 25 minutes in the Pacers' 88-86 victory that tied the series.

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In leading New York to victory in Game 1, Ewing played 40 minutes and had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

"Patrick wants to play but the injury prevents from being a possibility," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "After all that he has been through this year, playing injured and doing what he could do to help his team achieve the goal of competing for a championship, I feel very badly for him."

The announcement is yet another blow to Ewing's quest for a championship. He's been to the NBA Finals just once, when the Knicks lost to Houston in 1994.

His absence now makes New York's job even more difficult against favored Indiana. The Knicks are the first eighth-seeded team to make the conference finals, and Ewing was a big reason why, despite his injuries.

"It's frustrating to work so hard and be so close to something I've dreamed about for so many years," Ewing said. "To not be able to be on the floor to help my teammates is very frustrating and disappointing. But if my Achilles ruptures completely, it would end my career."

Ewing averaged 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds during 38 regular-season games this year, missing 12 games because of his sore Achilles' tendon. During the playoffs, which included victories over Miami and Atlanta, he averaged 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds a game.

 
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Patrick Ewing will have to watch his team tackle the playoffs from the bench.
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Knicks team doctor, Dr. Norman Scott, talks about Patrick Ewing's reaction to the news. (214 K)
Coach Jeff Van Gundy tells of the impact Ewing has on the Knicks. (254 K)
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