ATLANTA — Tracy McGrady is eager to play. The Rockets say he will have to wait.
The seven-time all-star had microfracture surgery on his left knee in February, but insisted that he’s fully recovered before Friday night’s game against the Hawks.
“Right now, I could play,” McGrady said.
Not so fast. The Rockets believe McGrady needs more time and would risk hurting his knee again if he comes back too soon. The next step is an MRI on Monday.
“We have a difference of opinion,” coach Rick Adelman said. “He wants to play. He’s not ready to play. It’s as simple as that.”
Iverson no answer for Knicks
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Knicks won’t sign Allen Iverson, believing any short-term gain would hinder their plans to build for the future.
Coach Mike D’Antoni said the former MVP would have come in and played 40 minutes a game, taking playing time away from others who need to be on the court to continue their growth.
“We just didn’t think right now we wanted to have that dominant force on the team,” D’Antoni said.
Footnotes.
Bucks center Andrew Bogut will be out two to four weeks after the former No. 1 pick was kicked in the left leg in a recent victory.
• Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal missed his fourth consecutive game because of a strained right shoulder, and there is no timetable for his return.
• Nets guard Devin Harris, who has missed 10 games because of an injured right groin, is expected to play today against the Knicks.
• Retired NBA star Jayson Williams was not in a New Jersey courtroom to enter a plea in the 2002 shooting death of a hired driver, and his hearing was postponed indefinitely.
The Associated Press
