New York Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert proved to be a viable asset to the team. Â He comes off the bench providing defense and drives to the basket. Â The highly athletic player suffered an injury during the Knicks riveting win against the Celtics today and now will be out for 2-4 weeks. Â Read more after the jump.
New York Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert will be sidelined for 2-4 weeks with a sprained MCL, according to the team.
Shumpert suffered the injury in the third quarter for the Knicks-Celtics game on Sunday and did not return.
“I’ve never had it before. It’s pretty numb,” Shumpert said after the Knicks’ 106-104 win over the Celtics.
Shumpert’s right knee buckled during a collision with Boston’s Chris Wilcox. He walked off the floor gingerly and was then helped off of the bench by two Knicks’ staffers.
“I really don’t know how it happened,” Shumpert said. “I just remember being in the lane, shot going up, somebody fell into my knee. I think the initial scare was worse than it might be.”
Shumpert, the Knicks’ first-round draft pick, had 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting and four rebounds in 22 minutes.
The rookie was forced to backup starting point guard Toney Douglas because Mike Bibby was limited with back spasms.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni downplayed the significance of losing Shumpert. He believes Bibby will return shortly and fill in behind Douglas.
But two weeks off in a truncated 66-game season will certainly hurt the rookie’s development.
“I’ve just got to be tough mentally,” Shumpert said. “Those guys were telling me it’s a long season, you’re going to hit bumps in the road. But I thought they were talking about some different bumps. I’ve got to get through it.”
Also, reserve forward/center Jared Jeffries left the game midway through the third quarter with a calf injury. Jeffries became entangled with Jermaine O’Neal on a lay-up attempt. He is expected to be out 1-2 weeks, according to the team.
Jeffries appeared to aggravate a previous right calf injury that held him out of the Knicks’ preseason finale on Wednesday.
