Knicks G Iman Shumpert tears ACL in left knee, out for '6-to-8 months'
A promising rookie season is over.
New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert suffered a torn left ACL on Saturday, according to Yahoo Sports and SI.com. The injury ends his 2011-2012 season.
The Knicks confirmed the injury in a release on Saturday, noting that Shumpert also suffered a "lateral meniscus tear." The injuries will require surgery and he will be sidelined for "6-to-8 months."
Shumpert's knee injury occurred midway through the third quarter of Game 1 of a first round Eastern Conference playoff series agains the Miami Heat. Miami was leading 64-40. Shumpert looked to dribble behind his back to juke Heat guard Mario Chalmers but did not complete the move, pulling up in pain and clutching his left knee. He was carried off the court by his teammates.
Shumpert left the game with 0 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal on 0-for-2 shooting in 19 minutes. The Heat went on to win Game 1 100-67.
Shumpert, 21, showed excellent promise as both a defensive stopped and a high-flyer on offense during his first season out of Georgia Tech. He posted season averages of 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 28.9 minutes per game this season.
The injury occurred just hours after Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose suffered the same injury during Game 1 of an Eastern Conference playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
