[h2]Woody says Chandler 'improving'[/h2]Mar 31 7:36 PM ET By Jared Zwerling
Tyson Chandler will not play against the Celtics -- his 10th consecutive game missed due to a small bulging disk in his neck -- but Mike Woodson is optimistic that the starting center will return soon.
"He's improving a little bit," the coach said of Chandler, who is listed as day to day. "He's moving around pretty well to me."
On Chandler playing against the Heat on Tuesday in Miami, Woodson said he wasn't sure.
"It would be nice," he said. "Tyson is a big piece to what we do, but we've patiently got to wait on Tyson until he's ready to play, and then we'll get him back in the mix. ... I just think we've got to be cautious of what he's going through. He hasn't had any setbacks. It's just going through therapy and treatment, and he's getting better."
Woodson said earlier in the week that Chandler would be back before the playoffs, but the Knicks will need him before then. They have a tough schedule ahead against several playoff-bound teams with more formidable size, including the Hawks (twice), Bucks, Thunder, Bulls and Pacers.
Before the Celtics game, Chandler was shooting free throws and taking part in full-court running drills on the Garden floor with a member of the team's training staff.
Speaking to reporters, Chandler offered positive signs, saying that he's hoping to play against the Heat.
"This is the best I've felt, and I'm optimistic that it's getting better," he said.
