MILWAUKEE — Iman Shumpert was back Monday against the Bucks and the Knicks hoped some of the defense they lacked against Miami would return, too. But he wasn’t in the contest on the game-winning possession, when Brandon Knight hit the 3-pointer to win it with 1.4 seconds left.
Shumpert played 24:32, scoring just five points on 2-of-7 shooting in the Knicks’ 101-98 loss to the Bucks, still lacking the offensive firepower he showed in his first two seasons. Shumpert played just five minutes of the fourth quarter with J.R. Smith red-hot (30 points, 6-of-11 from 3-point range).
Shumpert missed the last two contests after leaving last Tuesday’s Boston win in the first quarter with a sprained left shoulder. He felt well enough to give it a try as he was able to get through screens during drills.
The Knicks had listed him as “a game-time decision’’ after he went through the Knicks’ morning shootaround at the Bradley Center. Shumpert hadn’t missed a game before the injury.
“I worked on certain stuff today — dribbling, shooting — and we’ll try more screen stuff before the game to make sure it’s all right,’’ Shumpert said at the morning shootaround. “Going off screens — I got to be able to go through screens. That’s how I hurt it. That’s how I want to be comfortable with.’’
Shumpert, one of the Knicks big trade chips, injured the shoulder when fighting through a Jared Sullinger pick. Monday morning was the first time he has spoken to the media since, as he missed the Cleveland rout and Saturday’s crucial loss to Miami.
“I didn’t know what it was,’’ Shumpert said of the injury. “I wasn’t able to lift my arm like I wanted to. A couple of times I got an open shot and I couldn’t hold my follow-through so I came out.’’
Shumpert moved back into the starting lineup at small forward and Smith returned to the bench after two decent outings as starter.
Shumpert was removed during the final minute of the game Monday night in favor of rookie Tim Hardaway Jr.
Carmelo Anthony was asked after the game if he thinks Knicks brass will consult with him before the Feb. 20 trade deadline, considering he can leave this summer and might want input.
“I don’t know — when that time comes, we’ll deal with it,’’ Anthony said. “I don’t think so.’’
The Knicks had their seven-game winning streak against the Bucks snapped. … Smith hit six 3-pointers after hitting five in the prior meeting in Milwaukee. He wasn’t distracted despite fans chanting, “Where’s your brother,’’ when he went to the foul line. … Amar’e Stoudemire, in his second game back, played 16:31, scoring seven points with four rebounds. … Hardaway Jr. appeared to hurt his ankle in the third quarter. He had a poor game — 2-of-10 shooting, and 1-of-6 on 3’s.