Amare Stoudemire Will be Ready for the First Round of the NBA Playoffs

The New York Knicks' star center Amare Stoudemire will have missed three straight games as he is scheduled to sit out tonight's matchup with the Chicago Bulls. He has been sidelined with a sprained ankle and the injury comes as the Knicks are about to make their first playoff appearance in more than five years.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has said that there is a chance Stoudemire will play in the last game of the season on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. The Knicks start the postseason with a series against Boston on Saturday or Sunday

It is unlikely that D'Antoni will push Stoudemire to come back and finish the regular season unless he is 100% healthy and rested. The final game will not matter for seeding purposes and each team will likely rest its starters. The Knicks have also managed to go 3-0 when playing without Stoudemire in the lineup.