Chris Broussard of the New York Times reports that the Knicks? hopes for a successful season were dashed after just three preseason games. Antonio McDyess? dominating performance was impressive enough to help the Knicks forget about Latrell Sprewell, his broken hand, and his battle with the front office.

Mcdyess re-injured his left knee in an exhibition game against the Suns on Saturday. MRI tests revealed a fractured patella bone (kneecap) and doctors said he would be out indefinitely. Speculation says he will miss most of, if not all of the upcoming season.

"This is a devastating blow for Antonio, knowing how hard he has worked up to this point," said Scott Layden, the Knicks' president and general manager. "Knick fans had only seen a glimmer of his superior skills, and knowing Antonio, we are confident he will overcome this setback."

Layden said doctors assured him that McDyess's injury would not end his career. "Our medical staff clearly feels this is not a career-threatening injury," Layden said. "Antonio is a hard worker and he's passionate about playing and he'll work and he'll be back."

This is the third injury to the left knee of McDyess and all have involved the patella area. In 2000, he missed 11 of the last 12 games of the season with a dislocated kneecap. Last season, he missed all but 10 games with a partially torn patella tendon. McDyess will seek a second opinion with the most recent injury but according to Layden, surgery is likely.

Layden said this injury had no connection to McDyess's previous ones. "The injury is a different injury than the one he had the last time," Layden said. "Last time it was a tendon injury. This time it's a fracture to a bone. This injury is separate from his prior injuries."

If McDyess is deemed out for the year, the Knicks could be eligible for an injury exception. The exception would be equal to the mid-class exception ($4.456 million) but it could also be used in trade unlike the mid-class exception. This could allow the Knicks to acquire a player making $4.456 million or less in return for as little as a draft pick.

For now, either Michael Doleac, Othella Harrington or Clarence Weatherspoon will assume McDyess's starting spot.