Jeremy Lin Injury: Knicks Star Could Return for Start of NBA Playoffs

Over the weekend, Knicks fans received bad news regarding Jeremy Lin.

The team revealed that what was originally thought to be a minor injury, would likely end the point guard's season.

Lin will require surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and is expected to miss six weeks because of the operation. The Knicks released the news just one day after announcing that the phenom would be back on the court within a week.

That timetable does not give Lin enough time to return for the start of the postseason. The NBA Playoffs start on Apr. 28, two weeks before Lin is scheduled to return.

The point guard could return if the Knicks make it to the second round, but that is not likely to happen. If New York doesn't get out of the eighth or seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, they'll have to play the Heat or the Bulls.

The Knicks would be heavy underdogs in a seven-game series against Miami or Chicago with Lin in the lineup. With the point guard on the bench, and possibly Amare Stoudemire too, it would be extremely tough for New York to advance to the second round.

Now, it seems there may be a glimmer of hope for Lin to return in time for the beginning of the postseason.

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that there's a chance Lin could come back in four weeks, not six. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Wellington Hsu tells the Post that, depending on what the surgeon finds, Lin could return in two to four weeks.

If they don't see anything else wrong in surgery, just see the tear, typically you can get back in the NFL in two to four weeks and I've seen NBA players get back within that period. That's assuming there are no surprises.''

Such a result would be a blessing for New York. Even if Lin were to miss four weeks, he'd be back in time to help the Knicks try to win their first playoff series in over a decade.

Don't expect Lin to be back much sooner than what was initially reported. Lin has a chronic tear in his knee, and it would be hard for him to make a speedy recovery.

However, nothing is set in stone. The Knicks said Lin will miss approximately six weeks, but head coach Mike Woodson is hopeful the point guard will return sooner.

I think it all depends on rehab and how quickly he responds to the surgery. That's something down the road that we just have to wait and see. Once they go in there and get it done, he could respond very quickly, at least I'm hoping, anyway.

Lin will have surgery sometime within the next two days.