Knicks Forward Returns to Starting Lineup for Game 1

The Knicks forward is active and will start Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden. He returns to the lineup for the first time since injuring his hamstring 13 days earlier. Entering the game, the forward had averaged 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.9 steals per game in the playoffs while shooting 61.9 percent from the field.

He also shot 53.8 percent from three-point range. The forward participated fully in recent practices and said he felt better each day. He noted the current hamstring injury was not as severe as one that occurred two years earlier.

The second-round sweep gave the 28-year-old an extended period to rest and recover. It remains unclear whether he will face a minutes restriction in Game 1. In his most recent return from injury, the forward missed four games with a right toenail avulsion before the All-Star break.

He shot 3-of-13 in his first game back after 15 days away and recorded eight points with zero rebounds in 32 minutes.