Carmelo Anthony hopes to play first game of '14

Speaking for the first time since last Monday when he rolled his ankle against Orlando, Carmelo Anthony sounded hopeful he would play on Thursday in San Antonio, where the Knicks will try to halt a three-game skid.

Anthony said he was feeling “a lot better” and that most of the swelling had diminished in his ankle, though the injury was a lot worse than he first thought.

He’s back to running and shooting in practice on a limited basis.