NDIANAPOLIS -- With the swelling and soreness in his knee lingering, Iman Shumpert will be examined by the New York Knicks' orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday before the team determines his status for Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers.
Shumpert injured his left knee after falling twice in Game 3. In one fall, his legs gave out and his knee appeared to bend awkwardly.
The Knicks are officially listing Shumpert as questionable for Game 4. Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith are also questionable due to illness, but Martin says that he will be available.
Shumpert's status is less certain. Any injury to the second-year guard's left knee is a concern because he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament during the 2012 playoffs and had surgery to repair it. He was out for eight months following the surgery.
Shumpert sat out the Knicks' practice on Monday because of soreness in the knee. Mike Woodson said Tuesday morning that he didn't think the condition of Shumpert's knee had changed.
"It's just sore. He's had some swelling the last two days," the coach said. "They're going to take a closer look to make sure everything is OK."
Both Shumpert and Woodson said on Monday that they expected Shumpert to play in Game 4. But that seems to have changed with the most recent development.
"There's always concern. He took a bad spill and he hasn't been (able to play) the last two days so sure there's concern," Woodson said.
Shumpert has played seven more minutes per game in the postseason than he did in the regular season. But Woodson said the minutes increase did not factor into the condition of his knee.
"He played pretty well in that stretch. We've just been cautious to make sure everything is OK before we move forward," the coach said.
Amar'e Stoudemire admitted that there was concern in the locker room for Shumpert.
"I want to make sure young fella's feeling good. I don't want him to go out there and further any injuries," Stoudemire said.
Shumpert has been an invaluable piece for the Knicks in the playoffs. The team often asks him to defend the opponent's top scorer. He has scored 9.8 points and pulled down 6.8 rebounds per game.
Woodson is unsure who will replace Shumpert if he can't play on Tuesday night.
"I haven't even given that a thought because I thought he would be here this morning," he said.
The coach also said Martin and Smith's condition had improved since Monday. Both participated in Tuesday's shootaround.
Smith played through his illness on Saturday but struggled from the floor. He shot 4-for-12 and is just 11-for-52 in the series.
Drose
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