Report: Jeremy Lin Out Six Weeks, Possibly Rest of Season with Meniscus Tear

by Ryan Chiavetta on Sat, Mar 31, 2012 at 7:17PM

The New York Knicks and Linsanity have both taken a huge blow.

Jeremy Lin will be out six weeks with a meniscus tear in his knee, according to the Knicks official Twitter account. That could mean the star point guard is gone for the rest of the season, depending on how the Knicks fare without him.

New York (26-26 as of Saturday night) is clinging to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race after an uneven month.

Lin injured his knee in the second half of the Knicks’ 101-79 win against the Detroit Pistons last Saturday and has not played since. The team has gone 2-1 in his absence.

Lin has been a revelation for the Knicks. Since being added to the starting lineup in early February, he has helped transform New York from a sub-.500 disaster to a playoff hopeful. Linsanity, born after Lin's strong play catapulted him into the national spotlight, has continued despite his numbers falling and his role with the team shifting after head coach Mike D'Antoni's departure.

The Knicks playmaker has averaged 14.6 points and 6.1 assists a game this season. Despite some speculation that Lin’s playing time would decrease under interim coach Mike Woodson, the 23-year-old has continued to be a contributor for New York .

The Knicks have turned to veteran point guard Baron Davis to start in Lin’s absence.