MILWAUKEE — Iman Shumpert may be back in the Knicks lineup for Monday night’s game against the Bucks.
Shumpert, who has missed the past two contests after coming out of Tuesday’s win over Boston with a sprained left shoulder, said he will make his return Monday if he feels well enough to get through screens.
The Knicks have listed him as “a game-time decision’’ after he went through the morning shootaround at Bradley Center. Shumpert hadn’t missed a game this season before the injury.
“I worked on certain stuff today — dribbling, shooting — and we’ll try more screen stuff before the game to make sure it’s alright,’’ Shumpert said Monday morning. “Going off screens, I got to be able to go through screens. That’s how I hurt it. That’s how I want to be comfortable with.’’
Shumpert left the Celtics contest Tuesday in the second half. He said he injured the shoulder fighting through a Jared Sullinger pick. This morning was the first time he spoke to the media since an easy win over Cleveland and Saturday’s crucial loss vs. Miami.
If Shumpert plays, which appears likely, he will move back into the starting lineup at small forward and J.R. Smith will return to the bench.
“I didn’t know what it was,’’ Shumpert said. “I wasn’t able to lift my arm like I wanted to. A couple of times I got an open shot and I couldn’t hold my follow-through so I came out.’’
Shumpert, the Knicks’ No. 1 trade chip, was sorely missed on defense against Miami as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade went wild against J.R. Smith and rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. It brings into question whether the Knicks can afford to give up on the defensive specialist because they could face the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
“It was tough: We turned the ball over down the stretch, which we don’t normally do,’’ Shumpert said. “We still could’ve pulled it out. I wish I could be out there always, not just defensively. I wanted to tough it out. But if I’m not good to help my teammates, it’s no point.’’