Knicks' Landry Shamet has strong first game back in return

Reserve guard Landry Shamet provided a boost in his return from a knee bruise, helping the Knicks defeat the Grizzlies.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:51am

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Landry Shamet, a reserve guard for the New York Knicks, made a strong return to the team after missing five games due to a knee bruise. Shamet played 31 productive minutes in the Knicks' 130-119 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring 13 points and providing his usual pesky defense. The Knicks outscored the Grizzlies by 13 points with Shamet on the court, and coach Mike Brown was excited to have one of his best on-ball defenders back in the lineup.

Why it matters

Shamet's return was important for the Knicks, who went 2-3 during his absence. His ability to play tough defense and hit 3-pointers provides a valuable spark off the bench for the team. His presence was missed, and his strong performance in his first game back shows the impact he can have on the Knicks' success.

The details

Shamet played 31 minutes and scored 13 points, going 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He provided his usual pesky defense, and the Knicks outscored the Grizzlies by 13 points with him on the court. Coach Mike Brown praised Shamet's on-ball defense and ability to create offense, saying the team had to find other ways to succeed without him.

  • Shamet missed the previous five games due to a knee bruise.
  • Shamet's strong performance came in the Knicks' 130-119 victory over the Grizzlies on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Landry Shamet

A reserve guard for the New York Knicks who is known for his pesky defense and ability to hit 3-pointers.

Mike Brown

The head coach of the New York Knicks, who was excited to have Shamet back in the lineup and praised his defensive and offensive contributions.

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What they’re saying

“He's arguably one of our, if not the best, on-ball defenders. Especially when it comes to ball screens and dribble handoffs. He's really physical in that area. And you feel him. His pace offensively creates gravity for others. And then his ability to shoot. He can string together two or three 3s. And it can create separation for him and give our group confidence. We had to find other ways. But we missed that from him, especially from his size.”

— Mike Brown, Head Coach, New York Knicks

“I was definitely a little tired at the end of the game. The legs — that's obviously the biggest thing. You can do all you want to stay in shape but playing a real NBA basketball game, that's like the next layer of your rehab or whatever. You just got to get reps and get your legs back under you. So I felt really good. Just naturally a little heavy at the end. But that's alright.”

— Landry Shamet, Reserve Guard, New York Knicks

The takeaway

Landry Shamet's strong return from a knee bruise provided a much-needed boost for the Knicks, who struggled in his absence. His ability to play tough defense and hit 3-pointers is a valuable asset for the team, and his performance shows the impact he can have when he's healthy and on the court.