There are no guarantees Amar'e Stoudemire will see game action for the BayHawks.
Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire, shown here speaking with former Knick Jeremy Lin, began the next phase of his rehab by practicing with the Erie BayHawks.
For now, Amar'e Stoudemire actually playing for the Erie BayHawks against the Springfield Armor on Friday is up in the air.
The six-time NBA All-Star practiced with the New York Knicks' Development League affiliate Tuesday, his first practice of any kind in months. Stoudemire was pleased with the workout at New York's practice facility in Greenburgh, but the player and Knicks coach Mike Woodson have been mum on Stoudemire's plans other than to say he'll practice again Wednesday.
Stoudemire could be the highest-profile NBA star to work a D-League assignment. Former Boston Celtic Antoine Walker tried to make a comeback through the Idaho Stampede, but he had been out of the league for some time and it showed.
Stoudemire has averaged 21.6 points and 8.8 rebounds in his career with Phoenix and New York. He has not played this season after left knee surgery Oct. 31.
The Knicks have also assigned forwards Chris Copeland and James White to the BayHawks, but they are not expected to remain with the D-League team beyond midweek.
The BayHawks have won their last two games and are 4-4, while the Armor have dropped three straight and stand at 3-4.
A-MAYS-ING BOARD WORK: James Mays' 21 rebounds in Saturday's loss to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants were the second-most ever for an Armor player. Marcus Campbell pulled down 24 against Bakersfield in 2010.
SHOOTING WOES: The Armor are still struggling with their shooting despite voluntary after-hours work by the players at the YMCA.
Saturday's loss to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants saw them shoot a season-low 34 percent from the field. The Armor have shot 40 percent or better just twice this season.
But there's reason for optimism. Offense does traditionally come around more slowly than defense, and Springfield started slow from the field last year before winning the East Conference title.
HOSPITAL VISIT: The Armor made a visit to Baystate Children's Hospital on Monday. Working in conjunction with the K-Mart on Liberty Street, the Armor delivered toys room to room.