Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni disputed a perception Carmelo Anthony vouched for Jeremy Lin and campaigned to the coaching staff to play the young point guard.

That notion was reported by ESPN last week, and Lin seemed to confirm it when he said he believed Anthony “vouched’’ for him.

“I don’t remember the conversation,’’ D’Antoni said. “Maybe he did. I don’t remember.’’

Anthony made his return after missing the last seven games and playing just one quarter of the Feb. 6 game against the Jazz when he strained his groin. Anthony is trying to do his best to show he is not concerned about Lin taking command of the offense. His meek outing last night, however, in which he scored 11 points with 6 turnovers won’t quiet the cynics who suggest Anthony and Lin won’t mix.

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* Rookie Iman Shumpert has been bothered by left-knee pain for weeks and the Knicks finally shut him down, possibly until after the All-Star break.

Shumpert is listed as day-to-day as the Knicks host the Hawks tomorrow and play the Heat in Miami on Thursday.

Shumpert is supposed to participate in the All-Star Slam-Dunk competition Saturday night and likely would get a hand from Lin if he is able to take part.

“It’s been bothering [Shumpert] for a while because we were shorthanded he got through it,’’ D’Antoni said. “He had to play [Sunday against the Mavericks] otherwise he would’ve sat out. Hopefully rest will take care of it. The pain has to calm down some.”

Resting Shumpert last night opened the door for Baron Davis to make his Knicks debut, but he played just 9:40.

* Tyson Chandler (14 points, eight rebounds) suited up despite two sore wrists and a sore talilbone. In a scuffle with the Nets’ Kris Humphries, he also chipped a tooth and wasn’t in the locker room afterward. … The Knicks had beaten the Nets five straight times.

* Last night, in honor of Black History Month, the Knicks recognized John Rucker after discovering he, not Sweetwater Clifton, was the first black man to don a Knicks uniform.

Rucker never played a regular-season game for the Knicks, but was invited to training camp in 1950 before being cut. Clifton arrived that season but came two weeks late to camp. The Knicks never had acknowledged Rucker until they stumbled upon an old training-camp photo.

* Also honored was Joe Lapchick, the franchise’s second head coach (1947-56), who played a pivotal role in the integration of the NBA and passed away in 1970. He was recipient of the Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award.