Knicks Waive Chris Smith; Roster Down to 19

The Knicks on Friday waived rookie guard Chris Smith, cutting their roster to 19.

The 6-foot-2 Smith, a Millstone, N.J., native who played at Louisville, has been sidelined with left patella tendon surgery and had hoped to join his brother, J.R. Smith, on the team.

“I might’ve been able to have a little spark for the team at [shooting guard] with my shooting ability and my defense,” Chris Smith told SNY.tv of the injury, “but everything happens for a reason.

Expect the Knicks to cut Oscar Bellfield, Mychel Thompson, Henry Sims and John Shurna to get down to 15.

With Injuries Piling Up, ‘Sheed May Be Pressed Into Service

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Knicks’ injury list is long and seemingly growing longer every day.

Just take a look at it.

Six names were listed under “Injuries” on the Knicks’ white board on Friday, three of them belonging to frontcourt players.

Amar’e Stoudemire could be out as many as 4-5 weeks with a knee injury according to a Daily News report, and is doubtful for the season opener Nov. 1 at Brooklyn. Marcus Camby is bothered by a left calf ailment and is also unlikely for the opener.

Off Crutches, Chandler Hopes to Return Monday

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Tyson Chandler’s bruised left knee was feeling good enough Friday that he decided to throw away his crutches.

“Once I came in today, no swelling or anything like that,” Chandler, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, said after sitting out Knicks practice. “And my back spasming [from the short crutches] I’m like, ‘Look, I can’t be missing games because of this spasming on these crutches if my knee is feeling good’ so I threw those to the side.”

After banging knees with Nets forward Gerald Wallace in Wednesday’s preseason win at the Nassau Coliseum and undergoing an MRI Thursday, Chandler hopes to be back at practice next week and to be ready for the season opener Nov. 1 at Brooklyn.