Jeremy Lin to Return for Game 5? Mike Woodson Not Counting on it


UPDATE: Knicks head coach Mike Woodson isn’t ready to pencil Jeremy Lin into the lineup. Per the AP: “Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson says he is not counting on Jeremy Lin to return Wednesday in Game 5 against Miami. Lin is working out again after surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee April 2. The Knicks said at the time he was expected to miss six weeks, meaning his season was likely over unless the Knicks reached the second round. […] Woodson said Monday during a conference call he expects veteran Mike Bibby to start and Toney Douglas could play.”

With the New York Knicks living to fight another day, there’s talk now that Jeremy Lin could potentially suit up for the short-handed Knickerbockers in Game 5. Per the NY Daily News: “This isn’t the way the Knicks wanted to experience Linsanity again. But after losing a key cog in their offense during Sunday’s Game 4 win, they may have no other choice. With 5:15 left in the third quarter and the Knicks trailing by a point, Baron Davis dribbled downcourt as fast as his oft-injured, 33-year-old body would allow him. As he approached the free throw line, his right knee buckled and he crumpled to the floor and didn’t get up. Davis was taken off the Garden floor on a stretcher after suffering a dislocated patella in the knee. He was replaced by veteran Mike Bibby, and with the season extended to at least Wednesday, Jeremy Lin could once again be back in the lineup. It’s unclear if Lin would start or back up Bibby. It’s not even clear if he will return, but intermin coach Mike Woodson didn’t rule it out. ‘I mean, I really can’t answer that,” Woodson said. ‘We’ll get back to the gym tomorrow and talk to doctors and see where everybody, where they are physically. And we’ll make some decisions before we get on the plane to head to Miami.’ Lin has not played since March 24, and only recently began practicing with the team after undergoing surgery on the meniscus in his left knee in early April. The Heat is well aware of that, and forward Chris Bosh hinted that a Lin return may not be too successful. ‘We’ve seen him before,’ said Bosh. ‘We’re going to challenge him. It’s tough to come back in the playoffs.'”