After months of uncertainty regarding the health and future of Antonio McDyess, the Knicks have finally received encouraging news about their injured power forward.
A CAT scan taken last week revealed that McDyess' surgically repaired left knee is 90% healed, according to a person close to McDyess.

The same source added that McDyess expects to be given clearance to begin practicing by the end of the month and that he could start the regular season on the active roster.

The Knicks have declined to give a timetable for McDyess, which has fueled speculation that he would not return until January. Yesterday, the team would neither confirm nor deny the results of the CAT scan, maintaining its policy not to give medical updates on its players.

However, Knicks spokesman Joe Favorito admitted that the organization would provide information regarding McDyess' status "later in September."

"But as of right now," added Favorito, "we're not commenting on any aspect of Antonio's health."

Neither McDyess nor his agent, Andy Miller, returned phone calls yesterday.

McDyess has told several friends that he expects to join the team at some point in training camp. However, McDyess and Knicks officials are in agreement that McDyess will continue to rehab at a deliberate pace and that he will not play in any exhibition games.