LONDON — Knicks coach Mike Woodson won’t rule out starting Iman Shumpert Thursday when he makes his season debut.
Shumpert, returning from ACL surgery after a first-team All-Rookie campaign, will participate in one last practice Wednesday in London before Woodson declares him a definite. But unless there’s a setback, he’s a go and possibly a starter.
The Knicks have yanked Ronnie Brewer in favor of James White at shooting guard in their recent alignments. The Knicks could go back to a small-ball lineup with Jason Kidd, Shumpert and Brewer in the backcourt and Carmelo Anthony at power forward.
Woodson eventually sees Shumpert as a starter.
“That could be a possibility [Thursday] as well based on him loosening up,’’ Woodson said. “If the doctors said that might be a way to go, I wouldn’t be scared of putting him in the starting lineup. He’s been there before.’’
Woodson said Wednesday’s London practice will be as rigorous as a training camp practice, and Shumpert will compete in one last 5-on-5 scrimmage. The Knicks had debated leaving Shumpert home to play with their D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks.