The Knicks took the court at Madison Square Garden on Sunday for the first time this preseason, and Marcus Camby was able to join the team after missing the past three weeks with a left calf strain.

However, it wasn’t a contact practice. Mike Woodson focused on shooting and a walk-through of offensive and defensive sets. The coach said Camby could scrimmage as early as Tuesday, and the backup center is hopeful about playing Thursday in the Knicks’ season opener against the Nets.

Starting center Tyson Chandler, who suffered a left knee bone bruise against the Nets last Wednesday, is also optimistic he’ll be back by then, too.

“I’m feeling all right,” he said. “My knee feels fine and I’m ready to get out there.”

via Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York