The Knicks should get some good news tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats when both Amar’e Stoudemire (ankle) and Iman Shumpert (knee) are expected back.
“Game-time decisions,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said Tuesday. “But it looks good. We’ll see reactions and all that, but they feel a lot better.”
Stoudemire sprained his ankle last Thursday against the Lakers and has missed two games.
Shumpert, the No. 17 pick in the Draft out of Georgia Tech, suffered a sprained right MCL on opening day against the Celtics and has been out since.
“I feel good,” Shumpert said. “[Tuesday] was a great indication on how my ankle feels. I came out, was able to practice a little bit. We didn’t do much as far as physical play, but I was able to get out there and step the foot back on the basketball court and see how it feels. Still a game-time decision.”
The additions of Stoudemire and Shumpert should drastically help the Knicks (2-3), losers of three of four.
They needed 35 points on 31 shots from Carmelo Anthony Monday in a 90-85 loss to Toronto just to be competitive.
“I miss Amar’e,” Anthony said Tuesday. “I miss Iman. BD is not even here yet. I miss him, too.”
Point guard Baron Davis is still several weeks away with a herniated disc in his back but did run sprints on the MSG court before Monday’s game.
“The guys that are out there,” Anthony said, “we just want them to keep playing with the confidence that they have.”
