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A new X-ray examination of Wallace's foot found that he had a fractured fifth metatarsal. Wallace is scheduled to have surgery later this week. The team said Wallace is expected to be out for eight weeks, which covers the remainder of the regular season. It is unclear if Wallace would be able to play in the postseason should the Knicks reach the playoffs, which appears likely.

Wallace sustained what was originally called a stress fracture in his foot in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 13, and has not played since. The Knicks were reluctant to have Wallace undergo surgery because they believed the injury would heal without it.

When Wallace, 38, was on the court, he provided veteran leadership and defensive savvy. He was one of the many surprises that help propel the Knicks to an impressive start. The Knicks won 11 games in November and Wallace played in 14 of their 15 games. After Wallace's last game of the season, the Knicks were 17-5 and atop the Eastern Conference standings. He averaged 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 20 games.

Wallace had been retired for two years when the Knicks signed him in October as part of their plan to contend immediately for a championship. The team also acquired Kurt Thomas (40), Jason Kidd (39), Marcus Camby (38) and Pablo Prigioni (35) in the off-season. At the time, Wallace was seen as the most surprising of the Knicks' veteran acquisitions given that he was not in shape and did not scrimmage with the team until after its last preseason game.

The operation will end Wallace's two-month-long attempt to return. It might also force Wallace into retirement again — and this time for good.

Before he played for the Knicks, Wallace said one of the reasons he joined the team was because Mike Woodson was the only coach in the N.B.A. he would play for.

A few weeks ago Woodson was optimistic that Wallace would play again this season. Wallace also said he was certain he would return.

"My season ain't over," Wallace told reporters when the team was in London in January. He added: "I'm going to be back. I was laid off for three years, so one little foot injury ain't going to stop me. I'm good."

Wallace was on the practice court on Feb. 19 and ran up and down the court numerous times to test his foot while the training staff watched closely.

But Wallace has not been able to scrimmage since. Uncertain about Wallace's health, the Knicks traded the seldom-used Ronnie Brewer to the Oklahoma City Thunder to make room on the roster for Kenyon Martin, who signed a 10-day contract Saturday.

With Wallace done for the regular season, the Knicks will probably sign Martin for the rest of the year if he performs well over the next few days. His 10-day contract ends Tuesday.