PORTLAND — It’s not one thing he dwells on, however Landry Shamet agrees that his robust well being is validation for not getting surgical procedure.
“Yeah, knock on wood. I’m in a good spot,” Shamet mentioned earlier than he scored six factors in 20 minutes within the Knicks’ 114-113 buzzer-beating win over the Path Blazers on Wednesday night time at Moda Middle. “I attacked the rehab, took it very seriously. Frankly, that’s not much of a thought I have. I feel good, I’m in a good spot.”
Shamet performed a season excessive in minutes (24) and scored a season excessive in factors (13) in Monday’s blowout win over the Kings.
The efficiency occurred about 5 months after he dislocated his shoulder however opted for rehab as an alternative of going beneath the knife.
The surgical procedure choice would’ve ended Shamet’s season however supplied larger odds of a full restoration and not using a setback.
He took the much less sure well being path — which additionally meant the Knicks re-signed him in December.
It was rocky for a bit, with Shamet going in-and-out of the rotation.
However he’s rediscovered the 3-point shot, hitting 44.8 % of the time within the earlier 13 video games, earlier than lacking his solely try Wednesday.
There’s additionally a trickle-down alternative with the harm to Jalen Brunson, thrusting Miles McBride into the beginning lineup and Shamet as certainly one of simply two guards off the bench.
“You have to be prepared for all scenarios, especially if you’re thinking about the postseason,” Shamet mentioned. “So whenever you lose a significant piece, how do you discover options and determine issues out? And I believe that’s the chance on this state of affairs we’ve proper now. Clearly he’s a tremendous participant, and we depend on him closely to care for us in a whole lot of methods. So it is a good alternative to attempt to discover wins and determine issues out with out the man who’s facilitating our offense.
“I think all of us collectively are gearing up for this last stretch. There’s been a heightened sense of urgency from all of us to get going. So kind of knowing what we have coming down the stretch, getting some things cleaned up and just trying do whatever— all of us do what’s asked of us to put us in a good situation.”
Lack of manufacturing/alternatives from the Knicks bench has been a theme all season, and it took heart stage Wednesday with Mikal Bridges saying he talked to educate Tom Thibodeau about decreasing the starters’ minutes.
Shamet mentioned the narratives in regards to the reserves just isn’t one thing he’s involved about.
“We don’t really take into that account. Deuce [McBride] might get five 3s up one night, he might get two up one night. I might get two up, I might get zero,” Shamet mentioned. “Things change, so we got to be OK with that, and we all are. I think that should be more of an identity conversation than the other stuff.”
The Blazers have been the one crew the Knicks hadn’t performed this season, earlier than their matchup Wednesday night time on the Moda Middle.
Portland is now on a five-game shedding streak and has a 28-39 document. They’re now 16-16 at residence.
