The Linsanity Watch is back on.
With starting point guard Baron Davis suffering a potentially career-ending dislocated right patella in the third quarter, the urgency for Jeremy Lin to return for Game 5 on Wednesday has increased. Lin hasn’t played since tearing the meniscus in his left knee, but hadn’t ruled out a return in Miami, though interim coach Mike Woodson said he did not know if Lin could play.
“He’ll get back into the gym [today] and talk to doctors about where he is physically,’’ Woodson said. “Then we’ll make some decisions before we get on the plane to head to Miami.’’
The Knicks’ offense has been stagnant and Lin can open the floor up with his penetration if he is sharp, especially for 3-point ace Steve Novak, who took just two shots for the second straight game. But Lin hasn’t played since March 24, and his last game in Miami he was 1-for-11 with eight turnovers.
Mike Bibby filled in admirably yesterday, but Toney Douglas may have to be called upon if Lin is out. The Knicks won’t practice today, but Lin could try to scrimmage informally.
“[Lin coming back] sounds like a good idea to me,’’ Novak said. “[But] I’m not a doctor.’’
Carmelo Anthony sounded less enthused, remarking he can’t wait to play with Lin “next season.’’
Davis’ gruesome injury, when his knee buckled on a fastbreak, affected the Heat as much as the Knicks. LeBron James called Davis a close friend and Stoudemire said, “I almost shed a tear on the court.’’
In a crazy spate of bad luck, three Knicks guard have suffered devastating knee injuries: Lin, Iman Shumpert (torn ACL, meniscus) and now Davis, who will have tests today to see if surgery is in the cards.
Shumpert was on the court before yesterday’s thrilling win, talking publicly for the first time since tearing the ACL and meniscus in his left knee in Game 1. The prized rookie is out six to eight months and admitted he will miss virtually all of training camp.
Shumpert revealed he is not looking to beat the timetable. He realizes he’ll probably miss all of training camp, possibly even the first month of the regular season.
“I’m not trying to beat any timetable,’’ Shumpert said. “I just want to come back … comfortable. The MCL sprain was totally different. I want to take my time so when I come back everything’s healthy [and] I help the team.”
“It’s definitely going to set me back, but I’m not worried. I’ll be able to pick it up. I’ll figure it out. The biggest thing is just coming back healthy. Not trying to come back too early.’’
Shumpert’s initial stage of rehab is flexing his calf and knee muscles as he waits for the incisions to close.
“Right now, it’s just triggering the thigh muscle,’’ said Shumpert. A whole lot of ice. A bending machine. … It’s going to pick up. Right now it’s boring. But the next couple of weeks it will pick up and be a lot more intensive.”