Knicks’ J.R. Smith: Back spasms due to long preseason bus rides
New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith has been dealing with back spasms this preseason and blames it on the long bus rides the team has taken to preseason games.
Smith had leave briefly in the Knicks’ 84-77 preseason victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Syracuse. Smith ended up playing 23 minutes and had four points on 1 of 7 shooting and added four assists.
Smith said the spasms have been occurring for a few days and he has only experienced back issues just once before this. He says he first experienced the back issues this season when the team traveled by bus to Hartford and the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Connecticut for games.
“I’m going to play as long as the trainers say I could,” Smith said, according to the New York Post.
The Knicks, who are 2-2 this preseason, have three more preseason contests left before kicking off the regular season at home against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 29.
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Smith, who was the 2012-13 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner, averaged 14.5 points, four rebounds and three assists per game last season.
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