Knicks' Ewing Out Of Playoffs

June 2, 1999 / 5:54 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Patrick Ewing, plagued by injuries all season, will miss the rest of the playoffs for the New York Knicks because of a partially torn Achilles' tendon.

Ewing underwent tests this morning that confirmed the injury, just hours after he missed a potential tying shot at the buzzer in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers in Indianapolis.

Ewing does not need surgery and a full recovery is expected, Dr. Norman Scott, the team's physician, said today. The 36-year-old center will be in a cast for six weeks.

Ewing told Scott before Tuesday night's game that he felt a "ripping sensation" during warmups.

Nonetheless, Ewing played, limping much of the game. He scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds in 25 minutes in the Pacers' 88-86 victory that tied the series.

In leading New York to victory in Game 1, Ewing had 16 points and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes.

The injury is yet another blow to Ewing's quest for a championship. He's been to the NBA Finals just once, when the Knicks lost to Houston in 1994.

"It's frustrating to work so hard and be so close to something I've dreamed about for so many years," Ewing said. "To not be able to be on the floor to help my teammates is very frustrating and disappointing. But if my Achilles ruptures completely, it would end my career."

His absence now makes New York's job even more difficult against favored Indiana. The Knicks are the first eighth-seeded team to make the conference finals, and Ewing was a big reason why, despite his injuries. Chris Dudley will take Ewing's spot at center.

"Patrick wants to play but the injury prevents that from being a possibility," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "After all that he has been through this year, playing injured and doing what he could do to help his team achieve the goal of competing for a championship, I feel very badly for him."

The 14-year veteran has been slowed all season by his sore Achilles' tendon, and also has struggled with knees that need to be packed in ice after every game. He was out for most of last season with a broken wrist but came back in the second round of the playoffs, when New York lost to the Pacers in five games.

Ewing averaged 17.3 points and 9.9 rebounds during 38 regular-season games this year, missing 12 games because of his sore Achilles' tendon. During the playoffs, which included victories over Miami and Atlanta, he averaged 13.1 points and 8.7 rebounds a game.