MIAMI — Iman Shumpert wouldn’t specify whether he’ll make his return by the end of the two-week timetable and he surely didn’t sound ready to say how happy he is to still be a Knick.
Shumpert sprained the MCL in his left knee on the eve of the trade deadline Feb. 19, scuttling a potential deal with the Clippers, who had offered point guard Darren Collison.
Shumpert traveled with the Knicks to Miami and watched from the bench as the Heat clobbered the Knicks, 108-82.
“As long as I’m healthy. Basketball is going to be basketball but you have to be healthy to be able to play it. I’m just glad I’m playing basketball without anybody asking me if I’m worried about getting traded now,” Shumpert said before the game.
When he first got hurt, Shumpert said he feared another torn ligament.
“I’ll take it,’’ he said, having torn his ACL in AmericanAirlines Arena two years ago. “I was just praying I wouldn’t have to get another surgery, man. I’ll take the sprain.’’
The Knicks have had Shumpert on the trading block since November.
“I’m not going to put a date on [a return],’’ Shumpert said. “Just day-by-day, I’m getting better. I still need to do a lot more cutting. A lot more cutting. After that contact. See how it goes.”
Coach Mike Woodson said it’s still possible for Shumpert to return in a week. “He’s doing running up and own straight,’’ Woodson said.
“As far as cutting he hasn’t done that. He’ll have to do that before he plays. It probably could be another week, I don’t know.’’
Carmelo Anthony said the front office ran by him the names of perimeter defender Earl Clark, who went to high school in Rahway, N.J., and combo guard Shannon Brown, who had six points in his debut Thursday.
“The names were mentioned,’’ Anthony said. “I’m happy we got them, especially with the lack of bodies we have.”Earl Clark comes ready to play, not a high-maintenance guy. Shannon Brown is proven in this league about what he’s capable of. I’m glad we got two extra bodies that will try to help us get over this hump.’’
Woodson said of the two signings that came in the wake of buyouts for Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih: “[Brown] gives us veteranship. He plays hard. That’s why we put him in the Knick uniform. Clark is a young kid trying to find his niche. I know he’s kind of defensive-minded, blocks shots and rebounds. He can make a shot as well too.”
LeBron James (broken nose) debuted his protective facemask and scored 31 points.