Amar'e Stoudemire was forced to wear a brace and reported that for the past two days every step he took he felt in his back.

"I had a hard time putting my socks and shoes on," Stoudemire said.

Stoudemire was limited in New York's 113-96 loss to the Celtics in Game 3, the team's first home playoff game since 2004.

"There is no way I will be 100% by (Game 4) Sunday," Stoudemire said after finishing with seven points on 2-for-8 shooting and three rebounds in 33 minutes. "I felt good enough to play but I wasn't 100%. I feel bad for the fans. They deserve it."