Jeremy Lin: Game 4 Return Would Boost Ailing Knicks Against Heat

New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has long been targeting a second-round playoff return following knee surgery. But after having to sit in street clothes and watch his Knicks be dismantled by the Miami Heat in Game 1, Lin is now eying a Game 4 return at Madison Square Garden.

According to Ian Begley for ESPNNewYork.com, Lin was cutting and moving laterally on his surgically repaired left knee on Sunday and has his eyes on a Game 4 return on May 6.

Lin followed that up by telling Begley:

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"I think I'm gonna evaluate it at the end of the week and see," Lin said after the Knicks' practice on Sunday. "Hopefully I'll feel good by then ... the main thing is to be able to play without thinking about (the injury).”

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While it would be nice to see Lin back on the court in a Knicks uniform, is bumping up his return date over a week necessarily a smart move?

Maybe not, but the Knicks could certainly use him on the floor. 

With Baron Davis banged up for Game 2, the Knicks' point guard depth is less than ideal. If Davis has to sit out, New York is down to the combination of Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas. If that is the case, the Knicks are in trouble. 

Given that Tyson Chandler could also miss Game 2, there’s a chance that the Knicks could be well on their way home when Game 4 arrives.

Lin's return should hinge on where the series stands at that point in time. 

If New York is down 3-0 by Game 4, then there’s no point in risking Lin re-injuring his knee. With Iman Shumpert tearing his ACL in Game 1, New York does not want to take the chance that their entire starting backcourt could open next season on the sidelines.

But if the Knicks can manage to win a game or two before Game 4, the temptation will be there.

Unfortunately for New York, Lin is not in basketball shape, having not played in a game in over four weeks. Head coach Mike Woodson told Begley that Lin would play limited minutes if he returned.

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"After going through (surgery), he won't be in basketball shape," Woodson said. "My job is to gauge him ... and make sure he's giving us solid minutes within the short minutes that he plays."

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Even if he's on a short leash, Lin's presence alone would give the Knicks a lift for the rest of the series.