The New York Knicks have won five out of six games since Mike Woodson received a promotion to head coach, but a shadow is lurking behind the current success.
Amare Stoudemire, who was hindered by back issues during the 2011 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics and didn't play for three months during the offseason due to the same issues, will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine whether he has a similar injury now, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Stoudemire is considered a gametime decision for Monday night's meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks, but his status certainly hinges on the results of the MRI. The power forward left Saturday's victory against the Detroit Pistons with stiffness in his back, but told reporters it was "nothing to worry about."
The Knicks, who are fighting for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, are already without Jared Jeffries, who will miss the next two weeks with an inflamed knee.