SAN ANTONIO — When Landry Shamet first dislocated his shoulder, he described the sensation as akin to being shot.
And the second time? Well, he elaborated, “It’s different from getting shot in the arm, and then taking a few steps back.”
But on a positive note, this recent dislocation appears to be less severe than his previous one.
On Wednesday, Shamet shared updates about his rehabilitation, expressing optimism about his recovery and progress. He remains on track to make a return, though it’s still uncertain when that will happen.
The 28-year-old has resumed shooting and participating in some basketball drills about six weeks post-injury, though he hasn’t received clearance for contact yet. “That’s the next step,” he mentioned, adding, “We’re happy with where we are.”
He also feels reassured about rejecting surgery, which could’ve sidelined him for the season.
“I felt confident last year during rehab, and this time I was able to start the process sooner than expected,” Shamet said. “It just reassured me of the importance of the right rehab and how to handle things. That’s what has truly built my confidence. Of course, there’s a lot to consider, and you have to trust the doctors and get the necessary information.”
Shamet suffered the dislocation back on November 22 while playing against the Magic, colliding with Wendell Carter Jr. He exited the game, dragging his right arm, and has not played since.
Initially, he had some reservations about surgery since it’s often the best way to prevent future dislocations.
However, he’s not one to dwell too much on those internal struggles. “I aimed to rehabilitate and make this right. You just have to decide and stick with it,” he said. “That’s it; that’s where we are.”
Shamet initially dislocated his shoulder in October 2024 but returned by Christmas after a successful rehabilitation without surgery, earning a playoff spot by the conference finals. His previous recovery took about ten weeks, which was roughly four weeks longer than this current rehab period.
This past summer, Shamet re-signed with the Knicks, but under a non-guaranteed deal. Supported by coach Mike Brown, he became a regular part of the rotation and took on a spot starter role.
His contract is set to become guaranteed on January 10, and the Knicks need to waive him by January 7 if they wish to clear waivers. Cutting him could free up a roster spot and cap space for future transactions, though the Knicks’ depth seems secure without him, making the non-surgical approach beneficial in keeping Shamet on the team.
“I’m glad to know that,” he stated. “I have no complaints about the organization. Their support staff has been great and has worked closely with me.”
Coach Brown made his feelings clear about Shamet’s importance. “Landry is such a huge part of what we do,” he stated in November, emphasizing his value on both defense and offense.
After more than five weeks without Shamet, the Knicks found some momentum with contributions from McBride and Kolek. However, Shamet is still regarded as one of the top perimeter defenders and is expected to play an important role once he returns.
Shamet gets that there will be an adjustment phase ahead. He noted, “Even after being out for a week, you have to readjust.” Just days before his injury, he had a standout game, scoring a career-high 36 points. “There will definitely be some adjustments, big or small. It’s tough to say what they’ll be right now, but I’m expecting some. It would be naive to think otherwise.”
