There is a very good reason why
Toney Douglas struggled against the
Boston Celtics.
The
Knicks' backup guard was playing with a damaged right shoulder that required surgery Wednesday.
According to the club, Douglas had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shooting arm. Team physician
Dr. Answorth Allen performed the operation.
Douglas' recovery time is expected to be 12 to 16 weeks, and the injury also raises concerns about how much of an impact it could have on his future. The
Florida State product averaged 10.6 points this season, his second in the
NBA.
But he wasn't in top form for the Knicks while Boston was sweeping them out of the first round of the playoffs. Douglas averaged 10.8 points while shooting 37% from the field. He was forced to start the last three games after
Chauncey Billups suffered a knee injury in Game 1 and missed the remainder of the series.
Billups, Douglas and
Amar'e Stoudemire, who suffered a back injury before Game 2, were all injured during the series.
Douglas' health is likely one of the reasons why the Knicks decided to pick up the one-year, $14.2 million option on Billups' contract.