Amare Stoudemire says stiff back nothing to worry about

Amare Stoudemire claimed in July that he was 100 percent recovered from the back injury he suffered in the New York Knicks’ playoff series against the Boston Celtics last season. But questions about his back lingered—it reportedly kept him out of Drew Gooden's charity game in Novemeber—and coach Mike Woodson admitted he is concerned about his power forward.

After the Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons, 101-79, on Saturday, Woodson, per the New York Daily News, said Stoudemire’s back “stiffened on him a little bit coming down the stretch. A lot of that has to do with the fact we’ve had seven games in 11 days. It’s been a grind and it’s not going to get better. I am concerned.”

“I am concerned about Amare,” he added, per ESPN.com. “But we’ll evaluate it, see how he feels (Sunday) and hopefully we continue to have some blowouts so guys can rest.”

Stoudemire, however, downplayed any reason for concern. “Nothing to get worried about,” he said. "There’s no reason I can’t play Monday (against the Milwaukee Bucks). We keep an eye on it, make sure it’s loose. It feels much better.”

Stoudemire’s been playing well, averaging 18.6 points and 8.6 rebound, and shooting 57.9 percent from the field over his last five games.

Jeremy Lin, meanwhile, tweaked his knee during the win against the Pistons.

“The doc said it will be gone soon,” Lin said. “Just have to stay on top of it.”