NEW YORK (AP) Antonio McDyess will take the next step in his recovery from a fractured kneecap Tuesday when he scrimmages five-on-five with the New York Knicks.

Coach Don Chaney ruled out having McDyess play Wednesday night against the Lakers, but he did not completely dismiss the possibility that McDyess might be available Friday against Detroit or Saturday against Philadelphia.

``I want him to get at least a couple of scrimmages in. He hasn't really had a good scrimmage yet running up and down with the team. He needs at least two or three of those,'' Chaney said.

McDyess has undergone two knee surgeries since the Knicks acquired him from Denver in a draft-night trade in 2002.

He fractured his kneecap in his third exhibition game with New York and underwent a second surgery in April after the fracture did not heel properly.

McDyess has been taking part in drills with the team, including two ``controlled scrimmages'' with frequent stoppages of play. Chaney and the Knicks want to see how McDyess' knee responds to a more intense level of competition.

``One scrimmage might be enough, two would sufficient _ but three I think would give him not only an opportunity to feel comfortable but to be comfortable with what we're running,'' Chaney said.

The Knicks brought a record of 2-7 into their game Monday night against Boston.