Knicks' Carmelo Anthony had two MRIs in last three weeks

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (sore left knee) has had two MRIs in the last three weeks, sources told Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.

What It Means:

Despite both coming back clean, "the concern over his long-term health is very real," per Isola. Obviously there are a number of things going wrong in New York right now, and Anthony's health woes are right at the top of the list. If the soreness in his surgically-repaired knee doesn't improve after the All-Star break, Anthony will be a shutdown candidate as the Knicks fall further and further out of the playoff race. His absence would mean more minutes for Langston Galloway, Derrick Williams and Lance Thomas while Kristaps Porzingis and Arron Afflalo would each assume a larger role in the offense.

Anthony's 1.8 nERD ranks 55th. He's averaging 21.1 points per game, the lowest since his second year in the league, and he owns a 45.9 Effective Field Goal Percentage, also the worst clip since that same 2004-'05 season. His Usage Rate is the lowest since that year, as well.