DENVER — The Nets needed an energetic wing defender even before Caris LeVert got hurt. Once LeVert damaged ligaments in his right thumb, they couldn’t afford not to add one.
Enter Iman Shumpert, who was signed Wednesday, suited up Thursday against the Nuggets — but didn’t get into the Nets’ 101-93 loss.
“He fits a need right now. Perimeter defense, that’s always been his calling card,” said coach Kenny Atkinson, who was an assistant with the Knicks during Shumpert’s four-year run at the Garden. “I … know him well, know the personality. He gets after it defensively.