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 'Last shot is all that matters' Miller's subtle crack at Ewing turns out to be prophetic
Posted: Thursday June 03, 1999 07:39 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Patrick Ewing's missed shot at the buzzer ended up being his last of the season. The 36-year-old center, who played through injuries all year, learned Wednesday that he has a partial tear of his left Achilles' tendon and will miss the rest of the season, a stunning blow to the New York Knicks and their quest for a championship. Ewing felt a "ripping sensation" during warmups before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers in Indianapolis on Tuesday night. Nonetheless, he played, limping his way to 10 points and three rebounds in 25 minutes in the Pacers' 88-86 victory that evened the series. He had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer with a 15-foot jumper but missed. Moments after Ewing walked off the floor after his miss in Game 2, Miller teased him in the news conference. Miller, who hit two foul shots to win the game, was asked about his shooting just as Ewing entered the interview room. "As long as you make the last one, that's all that matters," Miller said. "Right, Pat?" Neither of them realized at the time that Ewing would not take another shot for the rest of the season. Ewing, criticized throughout his 14-year career for not bringing a title to New York, has been to the NBA Finals just once, when the Knicks lost to Houston in 1994. If his team returns this season, he'll have to watch from the bench in a suit. "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." Tests on Wednesday confirmed the injury. Ewing, who will be in a cast for six weeks, does not need surgery and a full recovery is expected, said Dr. Norman Scott, the team's physician. Ewing was stunned when Scott delivered the news. "He said, 'You're kidding.' He didn't believe me," the doctor said. "He was really depressed." Ewing has been struggling with the injury, diagnosed as tendinitis, all season. Scott said it was rare that tendinitis would develop into a tear. The 11-time All-Star also has struggled with sore knees that need to be packed in ice after every game. He was out for most of last season with a broken wrist but came back in the second round of the playoffs, when New York lost to the Pacers. His absence now makes the Knicks' job even more difficult against favored Indiana. New York is the first eighth-seeded team to make the conference finals, and the 7-foot Ewing was a big reason why, despite his injuries. He played a significant role in the first two rounds of the playoffs when the Knicks upset Miami and Atlanta. In New York's Game 1 victory over the Pacers, he played 40 minutes, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. "Patrick has been on this journey," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "The reason he plays today is to win a championship. It is the reason he fought through a lot of pain to try and help. I feel bad for him. It's as if he's been cheated out of another opportunity." Even the Pacers sounded as if they would miss him. "I could see he was hurting," said Mark Jackson, once Ewing's teammate. "I'm proud of him. He's a warrior. A lot of guys wouldn't have even suited up." Added Reggie Miller: "It's a shame because Patrick is such a great competitor and has been a huge part of this great rivalry and the great games the two teams have played." Gundy wasn't sure what adjustments he would make, although Chris Dudley was expected to take Ewing's spot at center. "Today is not about what we do in the future," Van Gundy said. "Today is about Patrick Ewing." Ewing, in the second year of a four-year, $68 million contract, averaged 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds in the regular season. He missed 12 games because of his sore Achilles' tendon. During the playoffs he averaged 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds a game.
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