(Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images)
It’s still uncertain whether fans eager to see Vince Carter make his Suns debut against the Miami Heat on Thursday will have that holiday wish granted.
The eight-time All-Star is still experiencing swelling in his left knee after landing awkwardly on it during a game in San Antonio on November 22. Carter visited the doctor yesterday, learning that he will not need surgery to repair it.
Carter is listed as day-to-day.
“He’s still a little sore and there’s no reason to rush things,” Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry said. “We want him healthy before we run him out there.”
The diagnosis that the 6-6 shooting guard received is that he has inflammation in the tendon in his left quadricep, although the swelling has been reduced tremendously in the past 24 hours. As a precaution, Carter sat out of practice today.
He performed some light shooting and underwent treatment with the Suns training staff. Carter said that he’s hoping to play tomorrow, although he and the medical staff will come to a collective decision about it before the game.
Before arriving in Phoenix, Orlando’s training staff assured Carter that he’d be in “excellent hands” with the Suns medical staff. We’ll see if the Suns staff can work its magic so that at least one gift can come a couple of days early for Suns fans.
