NEW YORK --The NBA granted the New York Knicks a $4.54 million midlevel injury exception on Thursday following season-ending surgery on Antonio McDyess' broken left kneecap.

The exception represents the maximum available to any team under the injured player exception clause in the collective bargaining agreement and can be used to sign another player or can be included as part of a trade.

The Knicks already have another $4.5 exception, granted by the league to all teams.

McDyess was injured with 1:55 left in a preseason game Saturday night and underwent successful surgery Wednesday. The exception is in effect for 45 days from the date of McDyess' surgery and would expire Dec. 2.