PHOENIX — The only good news to come out of Denver late Tuesday night was from an MRI facility near Pepsi Center.

The MRI exam Lance Thomas had taken showed no structural damage to his left knee. Thomas had not torn his ACL, which was the fear when he was helped off the court during warm-ups before the Knicks’ loss to the Nuggets after planting his foot to receive a pass. Thomas said he heard and felt something.

Thomas, who sprained the same knee in January, was taken for tests after sustaining what appeared to be one of those non-contact injuries that often lead to torn ACLs.

“I planted and something didn’t feel right,’’ Thomas said before sitting out the Knicks’ 128-97 win over the Suns. “I’m always concerned about my body. It’s great news for me. I’ll be back soon.’’

Thomas could miss the rest of the six-game trip, saying he’s “not sure.’’

Did he fear his ACL was torn?

“We weren’t going to false diagnose something,’’ Thomas said. “I trust our doctors. If they didn’t have startled look on their faces, there wasn’t going to be one on mine.’’

Had it been an ACL tear, it would have been devastating as Thomas goes into free agency this summer as perhaps a hot commodity after playing so well from November to mid-January. His two-way play had slipped since the initial knee injury and concussion in early February.

Asked if he wants to return to the Knicks, Thomas said: “I’m not worried about any of that right now. I’m worried about getting healthy and finishing the season strong. All that stuff will happen when it happens.”

Thomas, the former Duke role player, said he doesn’t think his injuries contributed to his recent downturn.

“I was playing sharp — I was missing open shots I usually make,’’ Thomas said. “I don’t play mind games when I’m out there.’’

Interim coach Kurt Rambis gave his kudos to Thomas’ season.

“He’s such an integral part of our ballclub,’’ Rambis said. “A high-energy guy and commands respect from everybody because he plays so hard and is a great voice defensively out there.’’

Starting shooting Arron Afflalo missed Wednesday’s game with an abdominal strain he suffered closing out on defense against Denver. Afflalo said he never suffered an injury like that before but thinks he’ll be back Friday versus the Clippers. Rambis started Sasha Vujacic, who scored 23 points, in his place.

Cleanthony Early (gunshot wound) was held out of the Westchester Knicks’ game against Canton Wednesday, still not ready for his debut.