Amar'e Stoudemire practices for first time since injury with Knicks' D-League team

Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Copeland and James White all practiced with the New York Knicks' D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, Tuesday. It was Stoudemire's first full-speed court time since getting surgery on his knee in October.

Stoudemire will practice with the big club Thursday if his knee allows. He said after the practice that his knee feels fine and that he would be fine coming off the bench for the Knicks.

With the D-League squad, which is owned by the Knicks, off til Friday, the Knicks brought them into the team's practice facility in Westchester so Stoudemire could get some work in without taking away from some of his teammates. They practiced simultaneously with the Knicks in the same building. Copeland, who scored 29 points Monday night, and White, are expected to be recalled so they'll be eligible to play Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.

Stoudemire had originally hurt his knee by banging it with Copeland during training camp. Although he returned to play in one preseason game, he has been out since undergoing surgery that removed a cyst from his knee. Without Stoudemire, the team is still an Eastern Conference-best 18-6. There's no timetable for his return but, since he's practicing, it could be within the next few weeks.