Iman Shumpert cleared, could make season debut in London against the Pistons
Jan 12, 2013, 5:30 PM EDT
Getty Images The Knicks have struggled a bit as of late, and have had seemingly nothing but bad news on the injury front.
Mike Woodson changed all that after the team practiced on Saturday when he told reporters that Iman Shumpert has been cleared by doctors, and could make his season debut later this week.
From Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com:
“He’s been cleared,” coach Mike Woodson said after Saturday’s practice at the team’s training facility. “He’ll practice on Monday and if we get the two practices in — for sure one in London and there’s no setback — he’ll be cleared probably to play in the Detroit game.”
The Knicks will be in London to play the Pistons on Thursday, and need to begin to get healthy to return to the level of contender the team was playing at over the first couple of months of the season.
Shumpert tore knee ligaments during the playoffs last April, but before then worked his way into the starting lineup for 35 games while averaging 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in almost 29 minutes of action.
Shumpert made a name for himself last season as a tough and capable perimeter defender, and once he works his way back from a conditioning standpoint he should be able to give the Knicks a much-needed boost in that area.
It looks like that help will be on the way as early as this week.
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