Rasheed Wallace retired from the NBA Wednesday just days before the New York Knicks start their 2013 playoff run.

The Knicks said in a statement Wednesday that because of his injury, Rasheed Wallace ''will not be available to play for us during the playoffs.''

Rasheed Wallace played for the Knicks Monday, but wasn't able to play more than four minutes.

Wallace ended a two-year retirement this season to join the Knicks and was a player off the bench during New York's 18-3 start to the NBA season. He was out with an foot injury that sidelined him since December.

It was unsure whether or not the former NBA champion would return or not from the injury at all. He gave it a shot, but was not able to exceed five minutes while on the court.

"Rasheed has given this team everything he had," Head Coach Mike Woodson told Knicksnow.com. "He is a winner, true professional and leader on and off the court. Due to his injury, he will not be available to play for us during the playoffs. We owe this season's success to veterans like Rasheed."

Wallace, 6-11, 245-pounds, averaged 7.0 points, on 38.7-percent shooting, and 4.0 rebounds over 14.1 minutes in 21 games this season. In his 15th NBA season Wallace missed 60 games due to an injured left foot.

The Knicks signed veteran Quentin Richardson Tuesday. Now there's a possibility New York will sign one more player before the end of the season Wednesday against the Hawks.