Iman Shumpert could return for tomorrow’s game against the Bobcats, easily beating the Knicks’ 2-to-4-week timetable.
The Knicks dynamic rookie combo guard spent the morning shootaround leaping and dunking, cutting and grooving to the basket. Shumpert hasn’t played since spraining his left MCL in a collision with the Celtics’ Chris Wilcox in the season opener.
After undergoing multiple agility drills yesterday with success, he is ready to participate in his first practice today, and coach Mike D’Antoni would not rule out Shumpert for the Charlotte game if all goes perfectly.
“If he practices OK [today], it’s day to day,’’ D’Antoni said before last night’s 90-85 home loss to the Raptors. “I don’t want to jump there [to him playing tomorrow], but I’d love that to happen. We’ll reevaluate it after the practice. He could wake up [today] and be sore. If he passes that test and wakes up [tomorrow] and he’s fine, he could play.’’
Shumpert is ahead of schedule after the initial timetable for his return was 2-4 weeks and should return this week. If he is not available against Charlotte, Shumpert would definitely be good to go either Friday in Washington or Saturday in Detroit.
“He’s getting close,’’ D’Antoni said.
Shumpert will wear a brace for his first few games at the very least — something he has never done. On Saturday in Sacramento, Shumpert ran for the first time in straight lines and did shooting drills. Yesterday was more thorough, with cutting worked in. Today will include contact drills.
* Amar’e Stoudemire missed his second straight game last night, but said he likely will return tomorrow against the Bobcats.
Stoudemire is undergoing treatment to his sprained left ankle around the clock. He spent the whole plane ride back from Sacramento late Saturday night getting treatment, then after landing headed to the practice facility for more treatment.
“[Tomorrow] is definitely a good possibility,’’ Stoudemire said. “We’ll keep the process going and keep getting better. You definitely want to be close to [100 percent] before you get back out there because it’s such an impactful season.”