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Amare Stoudemire expected to return for Tuesday's game, according to report

The New York Knicks expect to have Amare Stoudemire back for Tuesday night's game, once again raising the issue of whether Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony can win together.

By T.J. Doyle
Jeff Zelevansky

The injury-riddled New York Knicks are hoping to get at least one key piece back on Tuesday, when Amare Stoudemire is expected to return for the club against the Portland Trail Blazers. The return of Stoudemire does, however, rekindle the conversation of whether he and teammate Carmelo Anthony can co-exist on the court. Anthony talked to Yahoo! Sports about the notion of he and Stoudemire not being able to win together:

"We need him [Stoudemire]," Anthony told Yahoo! Sports after the Knicks' 106-105 loss to the Sacramento Kings. "I know we are playing well, but the more bodies, the better, especially at this point where guys are doing well. ...We are ready for him."

Stoudemire has missed the first two months of the season, a start that has seen New York win an Eastern Conference-best 21 games and Anthony jump out to perhaps the best start of his career. Playing power forward, Melo is averaging 28.5 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game

Knicks head coach Mike Woodson expects Stoudemire to practice and scrimmage on Sunday and Monday. As long as things progress well, Stoudemire would play Tuesday night, initially coming off the bench in limited minutes as he works back into game shape.

Even with Stoudemire returning soon, the Knicks roster is depleted by injuries to Rasheed Wallace, Raymond Felton and Iman Shumpert.