Iman Shumpert, who tore his ACL and lateral meniscus during game one of the New York Knicks' first-round playoff match-ups against the Miami Heat last season, could be available for the team on Thursday when they get to London for a regular season game against the Detroit Pistons.
“Physically I feel great. I don’t think I’ll have any setbacks in that department. Right now I’m just looking forward to making sure I know all the coverages and the system to the best of my ability before I come back,” Shumpert told the New York Daily News. “I know the guys have been waiting (for me). I think I can relieve a little bit of the pressure as far as defensively being a presence, offensively just being that energy guy. I’m the youngest guy on the team, and I’m the one that’s full of life all the time. That’s what they expect. They expect more my spirit, and me coming out here and providing that energy.”
The 22-year-old averaged 9.5 points and 2.8 assists per game, along with leading the Knicks with 1.7 steals per game during last year’s 66-game lockout season.
The Knicks started the season rolling, but injuries have slowly taken over for them. Starting point guard Raymond Felton is out with a fractured finger, center Marcus Camby is out for 2-4 weeks with an injured foot and Rasheed Wallace has been dealing with a stress reaction in his left foot.
