Melo Misses Practice, Will Play Friday

Carmelo Anthony missed Knicks practice Thursday because of a family issue but will play Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“He was excused (for) a family matter. He’ll be ready for tomorrow,” coach Mike D’Antoni said Thursday, per ESPNNewYork.com.

“He’s good.”

The Knicks host Anthony’s former team, the Denver Nuggets, Saturday.

Anthony did not speak to reporters following Wednesday’s 91-88 to the Phoenix Suns and a team spokesman called it a “family issue.”

He has been bothered by a sprained right ankle and left wrist, yet is the NBA’s fifth leading scorer at 25 points per game.

He struggled Wednesday, scoring just 12 points on 5-for-22 shooting.

Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.