NEW YORK, Feb. 5 -- New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing became the fourth All-Star to bow out of this weekend's game, citing a groin injury that also will sideline him for Thursday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs. Ewing has missed the last three games with the groin injury, suffered in the closing seconds of a 109-107 home victory over the Boston Celtics on Jan. 28.
The Knicks are 2-1 during his absence heading into the game against the Spurs, who have been hit hard by injuries all season. Ewing is the fourth All-Star and the first Eastern Conference player to bow out of Sunday's 47th mid-season classic because of an injury. Center Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets teammates Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler will not play for the Western Conference because of injury. Washington Bullets forward Chris Webber will replace Ewing on the Eastern Conference's roster. It is the first All-Star berth for Webber, who is averaging 19.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Ewing was voted as the Eastern Conference's starting center, his 11th All-Star selection. He leads the Knicks in scoring (21.4 ppg) and rebounding (10.7 rpg). The Knicks (33-14) trail first-place Miami by 1 1/2 games in the Atlantic Division. In Ewing's absence, they have used veteran forward- centers Buck Williams and Herb Williams in the pivot.
