The injury report on Danilo Gallinari said nothing about a sore lower back, which was the first sign of good news for the Knicks.
Instead, Gallinari was held out of contact drills due to a sore right shoulder which, according to coach Mike D'Antoni, will not prevent the second-year forward from starting tonight's home game against the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Knicks have managed to keep their top players healthy through the team's first 34 games, which is a crucial factor for an up-and-coming club that is looking to reach the playoffs.
A back injury limited Gallinari to 28 games as a rookie last season. He eventually had surgery and this year the Italian forward has appeared in 33 of 34 games. David Lee, Al Harrington, Wilson Chandler and Chris Duhon have played in all 34games.
Following a 1-9 start, the Knicks (14-20) come into tonight's game playing as well as any team in the Eastern Conference, having won six of their last nine. They've also won four of their last seven on the road.
Larry Brown's Bobcats figure to present a tough challenge. Tonight's meeting will be the fourth and final game between the two teams this season and it could have playoff tie-breaking ramifications.
Charlotte won its two home games against the Knicks, including on Dec.15 when it rallied from a 12-point deficit.
GUARANTEED: Forward Marcus Landry, a longshot to make the club in training camp, had his contract guaranteed for the remainder of the season.
Landry's brother, Carl, plays for Rockets, who the Knicks will play tomorrow. The 8:30 p.m. game will be televised on Ch. 11.
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