Amare Stoudemire to make Knicks return in New Year’s Day game

Amare Stoudemire, the New York Knicks’ All-Star power forward, reportedly will make his season debut during a New Year’s Day game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday evening.

Stoudemire began practicing in mid-December following preseason surgery on his left knee, which he injured in October. He originally targeted Christmas Day for a return but had to tone down those expectations.

The Knicks, who have the fifth-best record in the NBA at 21-9, could be without All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, who hyperextended a knee last week and has missed two games. New York is only a half-game behind the Miami Heat (21-8) for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Point guard Raymond Felton might also return to the lineup after injuring the pinkie on his right shooting hand diving for a loose ball in a loss to the Lakers on Christmas Day.

There has been much speculation that the return of Stoudemire will upset the rotation and, eventually, early success of the Knicks. Anthony disagrees with that assessment.

“It felt good today seeing him back out there, running our offense, getting him back into the flow of things ... he’s fitting right in,” Anthony said last week. “Right now, it’s all about him getting his legs underneath of him. When he’s ready to come back, our arms are open for him.”

ALSO:

Examining some resolutions for the 2013 Dodgers

Kobe Bryant enjoys one of his most productive stretches

Hannah Storm returns to work three weeks after burn accident