The Knicks’ 1-2 scoring tandem was truly hurting in the ill-fated Pacers series.
Not only did Carmelo Anthony play with what an MRI exam Wednesday revealed was a partial tear in his left shoulder, but The Post has learned J.R. Smith’s nightmarish playoff performance was partly because of a swollen left knee that contained fluid buildup.
According to a league source, Smith likely will have his knee drained of the fluid in the next two weeks — the same procedure Anthony underwent in March. So Smith’s struggles weren’t only about his sharp elbow in the Celtics series, alleged hangover and viral infection.
Meanwhile, Anthony’s MRI exam showed he had played in the playoffs with a small, partial tear in his shoulder, but the Knicks don’t expect him to need surgery, according to a league source.
Anthony has been prescribed rest and physical therapy for a month to allow the shoulder to heal. Had the shoulder sustained a full labrum tear, surgery would have been required. Now it’s unlikely.
Smith had played with a swollen knee since March, but it acted up severely in the playoffs. The swollen knee is the same condition Anthony dealt with this season until he finally had it taken care of. The Knicks called Anthony’s issue “soft tissue fluid collection.’’
“[Smith’s] been playing hurt,” the league source said. “He probably should’ve sat out a couple of games. It’s what Melo had. That’s why he wasn’t driving the ball like he was. That’s why his jump shot wasn’t right, not having the lift.’’
Anthony injured his shoulder late in the regular season in a scramble with Indiana’s David West and aggravated it in the Boston series when Kevin Garnett tugged on it. Anthony wore a shoulder strap during the Pacers series and said Monday he was in pain throughout that series.
“It was bothering me since it happened,’’ Anthony said Monday. “There was pain. It came to the point you try not to think about it.’’
Smith, expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent July 1, acknowledged the knee soreness in March. He downplayed it, but wore knee sleeves on both legs, keeping the swelling covered.
Smith was checked out by team doctors before the playoffs and considered draining the knee then, according to the source.
Smith’s stiff knee had gotten better in late March, but worsened entering the playoffs. He shot 29 percent in his final eight playoff games, drawing the sound and the fury of the Garden fans.
The irony is his shooting slump occurred directly after he served a one-game suspension for elbowing Boston’s Jason Terry during Game 3 of the Knicks’ first-round series with the Celtics.
Smith’s image took a further blow when his former friend, Rihanna, stated on her Instagram account that his playoff woes stemmed from his being “hung over.’’ Rihanna deleted the post after a request from CAA superagent Leon Rose, who represents Smith.
Smith was stand-up across his playoff disaster.
“They tried to rely on me, and I didn’t step up,” he said after Saturday’s Game 6 elimination. “Regardless of what that says about me or my game, that won’t happen again.”
The Knicks can offer Smith a contract that starts at $5.4 million because they own his early-Bird rights. Smith said he “wants to retire a Knick’’ and also play with his brother, Chris, who was with the Knicks in training camp but missed the entire season due to a knee injury. The younger Smith also has hired Rose as his agent.
Nevertheless, people in the know say Smith will have to leave the Knicks if another team blows away their offer. If another offer is higher but comparable, Smith would take less money and stay.
Anthony raved about Smith after his exit meeting Monday, and said he hopes he’ll be back.
“J.R. is a special player,’’ Anthony said. “To me, he made a huge step as a basketball player. We look forward to that, [for him to] come out and be focused the way he was to win the Sixth Man of the Year award, help us win the division. He’s definitely a big plus to this team. I definitely would love him back here.’’