National Basketball Association

Shumpert withdraws from dunk contest

Published Feb. 22, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

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Knicks guard Iman Shumpert is expected to miss the next two games because of patellar tendinitis in his left knee and has withdrawn from Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest.

Jazz forward Jeremy Evans will replace Shumpert in the event, the NBA announced on Twitter.

Evans will go up against Pacers forward Paul George, Rockets forward Chase Budinger, and Timberwolves rookie forward Derrick Williams in Orlando during All-Star Weekend.

Shumpert had hoped to have teammate Jeremy Lin help him in the dunk competition. Lin was a late addition to the Rising Stars Challenge, a game to be played Friday night between rookies and second-year players.

Shumpert was snubbed from the Rising Stars Challenge despite being widely considered the best defensive rookie in the league.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said he played Shumpert on his bum knee for at least three weeks out of necessity.

In Monday's 100-92 loss to the Nets, Shumpert was clearly missed as a late-game defender on Deron Williams, who scored 38 points and shredded Jeremy Lin from the outside.