Knicks rookie Gallinari to have back surgery Tuesday

NEW YORK -- Knicks rookie Danilo Gallinari will have back surgery next week and is expected to make a full recovery in six to eight weeks.

The Knicks announced Friday that Gallinari will have surgery Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, performed by an orthopedic spine specialist. The procedure, a laminotomy, shaves the bony plate surrounding a nerve root.

The Knicks have also invited a neurosurgeon from Gallinari's native Italy to observe.

Taken with the No. 6 pick in the draft, Gallinari missed most of the first 2½ months after experiencing back pain in summer league. He finished the season with an average of 6.1 points in 28 games.