INDIANAPOLIS — Knicks new big man Lou Amundson isn't going anywhere this season. The Knicks are his 10th team and there won't be an 11th for now.
Amundson celebrated a new contract with a rare offensive outburst Thursday, scoring 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting — the lone bright spot in a miserable 103-82 blowout loss to the the Pacers.
How rare was Amundson's point total? Amundson had gone 102 straight games without a double-figure game. It was the longest active drought in the NBA.
After adding grit and energy to a dead club these past 20 days, the journeyman power forward, who once played for the Pacers, agreed to terms to stay with the Knicks the rest of the season as his second 10-day contract expired Thursday.
The Knicks obtained Amundson in a three-team trade 3 ¹/₂ weeks ago and the club was unsure it would keep him.
"I was under the impression it wasn't going to work out here and they were just going to cut me,'' Amundson said.
Derek Fisher is thrilled the Knicks didn't as he's helped juice the club, usually on the defensive end.
"Energy in general is contagious — whether it's basketball or life,'' said Amundson, who was the piece Cleveland gave the Knicks in the three-team deal that sent Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith packing. "I think it rubs off.''
The UNLV product has started the past six games and the Knicks are 4-2.
"Similar to comments I made about Cole Aldrich, Lou is comfortable being who he is, playing hard, playing tough, rebounding, defending, blocking shots,'' Fisher said. "And he's not trying to prove to anybody in the NBA he has a hook shot he's working on. He does what's best to help his teammates, taking charges. Those sacrifices, you have to have guys on your team that way. That's why I'm enjoying having Lou.''
After the Knicks waived him, the undrafted Amundson, 32, figured he'd be looking for his 11th NBA club. But team president Phil Jackson decided to re-sign him to a 10-day contract and then another. His performance has surprised everyone.
"It's great, especially the way my career has gone,'' Amundson said. "I'm really thankful they gave me that opportunity to come here and show my worth. I've had a lot of hard work in my career over the years and not get that opportunity.''
As expected, Lance Thomas will be signed for the rest of the season, too, when his second 10-day contract expires Saturday. Unlike Langston Galloway, he will not have any strings attacked for next season — either a non-guaranteed pact or partial guarantee. He will be a free agent July 1.
Amar'e Stoudemire missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle and Fisher sounded doubtful about his status for Sunday against the Lakers.
Cole Aldrich missed his first game with a hip injury suffered against the Thunder.
Carmelo Anthony played on the second night of a back-to-back with his sore knee, something he hadn't been doing regularly. The postponement Monday against Sacramento led him to break the pattern.
Fisher said he has been most impressed recently with Anthony's recent leadership.
"I think Carmelo is starting to find out more and more how capable he really is, not only statistically, but emotionally and psychologically how he can be a leader,'' Fisher said. "Guys are following him and he is setting a tone out there. He is doing a lot of things to force guys to get to his level. I am excited and proud of him considering how limited he is.''
The Knicks have lost five straight in Indianapolis.
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