Knicks hold three players out of contact ahead of preseason opener
Knicks guard Iman Shumpert laughs during training camp in Christi Arena at West Point on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. Credit: Andrew Theodorakis
Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. were held out of the contact part of practice because of injuries Monday, but Derek Fisher isn't ruling them out of the Knicks' first preseason game Wednesday.
Shumpert suffered a hamstring injury during one of the first days of training camp and said the Knicks want him to take it easy so it doesn't bother him in the regular season. Hardaway has hip inflammation, Fisher said.
"We're just trying to be smart with all of our guys," Fisher said. "I think they all could go."
Amar'e Stoudemire also sat out the contact part of practice, but Fisher said that's just part of the plan with the oft-injured power forward. Stoudemire has had multiple knee surgeries over the years, and the Knicks will continue to limit him when they can.
"Amar'e's on a very specific plan, so we're just managing it the best way we can for him first and foremost," Fisher said. "But it's also about our team. If we can have Amar'e available every night this year, we'll be a lot better off. We're just trying to be smart with him, as well."
After practice, Shumpert went through a lengthy individual workout and said he plans to play on Wednesday in Hartford against the Celtics.
"I would hope so," Shumpert said. "I don't want to sit out all these practices and not play. That's why I'm sitting everything out to just make sure that I'm able to play and I'm able to get some rest."
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
