Skip to main content

Iman Shumpert cleared for full contact practice with Knicks

Second year swingman Iman Shumpert was cleared by New York Knicks team doctors this morning to participate in full contact practice with the team, according to tweets he sent out today. A member of last year's NBA All Rookie First Team, Shumpert tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during a playoff game against the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Nate Taylor of The New York Timesreported in September that Shumpert could return to the court in December if he is ahead of schedule. The fact that he will likely make his return in the middle of January is reason to believe that he didn't suffer any setbacks throughout the eight months of rehab. Last year for the Knicks, Shumpert averaged 9.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while showing moments of promise as a young, perimeter defender. He finished fifth in the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year voting and was the only rookie to receive votes for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

He tweeted this morning that he lives for games like the one the Knicks played last night. New York lost by six at home to the Boston Celtics but a rematch is scheduled for Jan. 24 in Boston.