J.R. Smith to start for New York Knicks

Nov 10, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) steps back during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

On Tuesday, New York Knicks’ head coach Mike Woodson admitted to reporters that he was mulling a change in the starting lineup. Woodson elaborated, saying he believed he may move forward Metta World Peace, who was signed away from the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, or J.R. Smith, who was so productive coming off of the bench last season, he was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, into the starting lineup.

On Wednesday, Woodson made his decision.

When the Knicks take on the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, Smith will be in the starting lineup, joining point guard, Raymond Felton, swingman Iman Shumpert, forward Carmelo Anthony and forward Andrea Bargnani.

Smith will be taking the place of Pablo Prigioni.

The Knicks are already without center Tyson Chandler and never really know what kind of minutes their older, injury-prone big men, Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin, can give them.

Smith has played in one game after being suspended for the first five for violating the league’s drug policy.

The Knicks and Hawks will tip-off at 8:00 pm EST and the game is on ESPN.

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