J.R. Smith finally acknowledged his knees aren’t responding as well as he had hoped.
The Knicks are 1-9 since Smith returned for the season’s sixth game. He was suspended the first five games for marijuana use, and missed almost all of the preseason because of rehab from surgery on a torn meniscus and chipped patella tendon in his left knee.
Smith, the Nuggets’ all-time leader in 3-pointers, shot 1 of 7 from 3-point range in Denver Friday. He admitted his left knee is bothering him “somewhat.’’
“It’s taking time,’’ he said. “I’m not one to make excuses. I got to play better. If it was hurting so bad, I shouldn’t be playing.’’
Coach Mike Woodson tried starting Smith for two games but returned him to the sixth man role, feeling he’d be more comfortable. Smith is shooting an abysmal 32.8 percent — 28.6 on 3-pointers, averaging 11.7 points, down from 18.1 last season.