New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler is battling the flu and could miss Game 1 of the team's playoff series against the Miami Heat on Saturday.
Interim coach Mike Woodson said in his pregame news conference that Chandler is a game-time decision. Chandler, who was able to eat breakfast -- the first solid food he's kept down in two days -- will inform the Knicks' staff if he can't play after he warms up.
If Chandler can't play, Woodson said he will insert Landry Fields into the starting lineup. If Fields starts, Carmelo Anthony will play power forward and Amare Stoudemire will play center.
Chandler has been battling a sore knee and a left wrist injury for several weeks and sat out the team's regular-season finale on Thursday to rest. He did not practice on Friday and was seen wearing a surgical mask to prevent the spread of germs, Stoudemire said.
Anthony said he expects Chandler to play.
"He's a little ill, but he'll be with me tomorrow. We don't really care about today. As long as he's with me tomorrow, we'll be fine," Anthony said.
Chandler, who won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks last season and came to New York in an offseason sign-and-trade deal, is a pivotal piece for the Knicks. He has helped transform New York's defense from a mediocre unit to one of the top five in the NBA.
Ian Begley is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.