Mike Woodson is hopeful to have a full complement of players in the Knicks’ preseason finale Friday night at the Garden.
The Knicks coach said there is a chance J.R. Smith (knee), Amar’e Stoudemire (knee surgery) and Kenyon Martin (ankle) all could see time against the Bobcats, Smith in particular.
“He’s ready to go,” Woodson said of the reigning Sixth Man Award winner. “I thought that he proved that the other day in Toronto when he had his first serious contact. Today was the same. We’ll get him out there [Friday], but we won’t play him a lot of minutes.”
Smith, Stoudemire and Martin competed in contact drills with their teammates on Thursday, though they didn’t scrimmage.
“I’m hoping all three can play a little [Friday],” Woodson said. “We got to let [Friday] come and see how guys feel.”
Smith said he still needs to be cleared by team doctors, but expects to make his preseason debut on Friday.
“Overall, I feel great,” the enigmatic shooting guard said.
Woodson said he plans to use his starters for around 30 minutes.
Time is also winding down on the Knicks making cuts with the roster deadline set for Monday at 5 p.m. Woodson said he planned to meet with general manager Steve Mills and the organization’s other decision-makers either later Thursday or Friday.
Woodson didn’t give a hint on whether the iffy health status of Martin and Stoudemire could help big men hopefuls Cole Aldrich and Ike Diogu make the club.
“Once I sit down with Steve and everybody involved, we’ll make a decision,” Woodson said.