NEW YORK (AFP) - New York Knicks centre Tyson Chandler has suffered a broken right leg and is expected to be sidelined from four to six weeks, the NBA club announced Wednesday.

The 31-year-old suffered the injury after a collision with Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker in the first quarter.

The Knicks said that Chandler suffered no ligament or nerve damage and surgery will not be required, but the loss of Chandler is a major setback for a team that have lost three of four games to open the season, including a 102-97 home loss Tuesday to Charlotte.

The 2.16m-tall Chandler has averaged 7.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in four games this season.

"Of course we miss him," Anthony said. "He is our anchor on our defensive end, so we miss him big time."

Chandler helped Dallas win the 2011 NBA title and was the 2012 NBA Defensive Player of the Year with the Knicks. He spent five seasons with Chicago to open his NBA career starting in 2001 and has since played for New Orleans and Charlotte as well as Dallas and the Knicks.

Chandler's absence could lead to more playing time for both Kenyon Martin and Amare Stoudemire, with Cole Aldrich likely to come off the bench in certain situations.