Nenad Krstic's surgically repaired left knee is improving and he told the New York Post that he is close to a return and may play next week.

"I feel really good," said Krstic, who was shut down after 12 games when he struggled coming back from last season's torn ACL. "I made the trip, and I feel like I am part of the team. I just did the first part of shootaround. A first step but for me, that's a big one.

"[I did] post moves and things, not hard, just warming up," he said.