NBA

Shumpert lost to sprained right shoulder

Iman Shumpert was the lone Knick who had played in all 45 games this season. That streak will end.

Shumpert sprained his right shoulder late in the first quarter of Tuesday’s 114-88 victory over the Celtics, departed and didn’t return.

“How long he’s going to be out, I don’t know,’’ coach Mike Woodson said.

Shumpert had shoulder issues during training camp also but had remained healthy all season to this point. The new smallball alignment without injured Andrea Bargnani had been working, with Shumpert shifted to small forward.

What Woodson does next is unclear, but he could start J.R. Smith at small forward.


Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo was back at the Garden, facing the Knicks for the first time this season, but nowhere close to being outfitted in a Knicks uniform. He’s also no closer to winning. He’s now 0-6 since returning from his ACL tear after shooting 3 of 13 Tuesday.

Rondo said over the weekend he “wouldn’t mind’’ staying another “10 years’’ in Beantown.

Rondo becomes a free agent in 2015 and is on the Knicks’ short list with their expected cap space. But they would prefer to be able to land him in a trade — one of the scenarios they hope will convince Carmelo Anthony to stay.

But a deal for Rondo seems far-fetched, because Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is attempting to sign Rondo to a long-term extension. Anthony would love to play with Rondo; they both attended Oak Hill Academy.

Rondo sounds as if he definitely prefers Boston.

“I like to stick to the script. I don’t like change much. I wouldn’t mind staying [in Boston] the rest of my career,” he said. “IThings don’t happen or always seem to go that way. But like I said before, it’s a business, but I wouldn’t mind staying another 10 years if possible.”

Ainge admitted he has discussed an extension with Rondo and said he is hopeful of keeping his star.

“It doesn’t make sense for him [sign an extension] now,” Ainge told The Post. “I didn’t expect him to sign an extension but I would have loved for him to have. Optimistic? Sure. He’s our best player and I think it’s going to take him a little bit of time here coming back from his ACL. It’s part of the process.’’


The Knicks hosted three Seahawks and three Broncos Tuesday, with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson the marquee attendee. He was joined by teammates Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, while the Broncos had their trio of standout receivers in Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker.


Woodson won’t reveal any further timetable on Bargnani, but says he’s diligently rehabbing from a torn elbow.
An elbow surgeon told The Post the injury normally requires three-to-six weeks of therapy.

“He’s in good spirits,’’ Woodson said. “I have spoken to him. He’s coming and getting treatment every day. It’s all we could do until the medical staff gets back with us and tells us he’s ready to go and get him back in uniform. We’ll try to get his conditioning along the way.” Woodson wouldn’t say if season-ending surgery had been completely ruled out down the road.


The Knicks held a moment of silence before the contest for former forward Tom Gola, who died Sunday at 81. Gola, a five-time All-Star, played for the club from 1962-66.


When asked by a Chicago reporter about playing for the Bulls, Carmelo Anthony brushed off the question.
The reporter persisted and asked the star forward what his relationship with Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is like.

“I have no relationship [with Thibodeau],” Anthony replied.