The N.B.A. players union is asking an arbitrator to clarify certain free-agent rights in a case that could immeasurably benefit theKnicks this summer, according to several people involved in the process.

The case concerns what are known as Bird rights, which allow a player to re-sign with his team without regard to the salary cap. The league contends those rights are lost when a player changes teams through waivers. The union is challenging that interpretation.

If the union prevails, the Knicks would be able to re-sign both Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak, their top free agents, despite cap constraints. They would also retain a $5 million salary slot — known as the midlevel exception — for use on another player, possibly J. R. Smith, who can opt out of his deal.

But if the union’s challenge fails, the Knicks will probably lose Novak and possibly Smith when free agency opens in July. And they will have little ability to sign a significant free agent like point guard Steve Nash once they re-sign Lin.

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Faried, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard and New York’s Iman Shumpert received the other first-place votes, denying Irving’s bid to become the fourth player to win the award unanimously.

TOP 5 ROY

1. Kyrie Irving

2. Ricky Rubio

3. Kenneth Faried

4. Kawhi Leonard

5. Iman Shumpert

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“I was more frustrated the fact that we were down 0-2,” Stoudemire said. “It wasn’t as if I was really trying to take out the fire extinguisher door. I wanted to make some noise and let out some frustration. Unfortunately I cut my hand by accident. I’ll be back soon.”

“I didn’t even realize I was cut at all until Josh Harrellson told me I was cut and I saw the cut,” Stoudemire said. “Unfortunately after the game when it’s very passionate things happen, you don’t expect to injure yourself or anything like that. You just got to deal with it.”

The Knicks were in the gym practicing and preparing for Game 3 while Stoudemire addressed the media. He said he already spoke to his teammates about what happened.

“They all understand, they all know the situation,” Stoudemire said. “They know I didn’t physically ball my fist up and punch through a glass door. They know it happens all the time. Most of those guys have been in that situation before where they would kick over a chair or table. You know what I mean? It happens all the time. It’s just the fact that with me I cut my hand this time.”

“I think the fans are thinking I actually had a closed fist and I punched through a glass door,” Stoudemire said. “I think they have a wrong perception of what actually happened. I walked by and swung my arm backwards and hit the fire extinguisher door and sliced my hand a little bit by accident. I can understand their frustrations. I’m frustrated myself as well for not being available for Game 3. Not trying to make light of the situation but it happens all the time.

“Bad timing, knowing it’s the playoffs and how important it is for us to try and win every game. But I’ll be back soon.”

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