Julius Randle‘s season is over. The Knicks’ star power forward will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (Twitter link).
This development ends a two-month odyssey in which Randle tried diligently to rehab the shoulder, which was dislocated against Miami on Jan. 27. Randle took a hard fall when he crashed into Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez while driving to the basket.
It’s a crushing blow to the Knicks’ hopes of a deep playoff run. Randle was averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 46 games this season.
Initially, the Knicks believed Randle would only be sidelined a few weeks. Early reviews of an MRI he underwent shortly after the injury indicated no significant damage.
However, Randle’s rehab didn’t go as smoothly as anticipated. Medical experts determined that his shoulder’s continued instability made it unsafe for him to play again this season, according to Wojnarowski.
Randle risked permanent damage if he returned to action without first undergoing surgery, two specialists recently warned him.
It’s quite possible that Randle won’t be ready at the start of next season. He will reevaluated in five months after the surgery, the team’s PR department tweets.
The Knicks are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 44-31 record. They’ve lost their last three games and are also without their other starting forward, OG Anunoby, who has been sidelined by a persistent elbow injury.
New York coach Tom Thibodeau started a four-guard lineup against Miami on Tuesday with Josh Hart posing as a very undersized power forward.
Damn!
Let’s hope OG can make a come back in time for the playoffs. Knicks can still make some noise in these playoffs.
Knicks were not going to win the Chip this season anyways with or without Randle, so while it’s too bad he’ll be out, getting healthy for next season is more important.
As for this year’s playoffs, if OG is also out, the Knicks are likely 1st round exit bound. Personally, I think OG is the more important of him or Randle in the playoffs, and I think the Knicks could win a round if OG is back in uniform and playing at his normal level by the time the postseason starts. 2nd round is likely their limit this year regardless.
Sorry to hear this bad news but the Silver Lining is that Julius Randle in the playoffs is not a guarantee of excellent production from the four spot. I think they can withstand this loss if everyone steps up.
OMG he couldn’t have gotten this sooner. The Knicks knew this was a possibility. This is fear with Cole on the Yankees. He will need TJ surgery and you’re risking him being out all of next year by waiting and waiting. I understand completely that surgery is the last resort but if that’s the outcome do it sooner.
surgery is the last resort, yes, that means you try other things first. When those don’t work you go to the surgery. If they decided on it sooner it wouldn’t be the last resort. Reflects that they were rly trying to bring him back this year, can’t blame them for trying.
OG to save them right?
Wow, that sucks. I know they weren’t necessarily a favorite but no telling what a fully healthy knicks team could have done. Can’t wait for this team to be 100% and make a run.
Sorry to see the season end for Julius Randle …. But am happy that this guy is finally getting the respect from New York Knick fans that he deserves. Randle does nothing but work hard, and he has put in a lot of work over the years to refine his game. New York is a tough place to play. Folks tried to not like Julius, but this guy absolutely earned the respect of New Yorkers.
Fair assessment. Thumb up.
Not surprised. The news flow on a Randle return turned negative about the time it turned technical, and I assumed the medical people (vs the player) had taken over the narrative. They wouldn’t do that if differences were minor.
Maybe this news provides an opening for BB (who, let’s face it, has been horrible) to turn things around. Getting OG back is obviously important, but, even with that, we still won’t have a second tested playoff option. OG sees himself as able there, but hasn’t done it. BB was at least a 2nd/3rd option in UTH, and I hope is given a chance to fill the role. He should be playing, from here on, strictly as a 4, and have a path to more minutes. Not because I think he’s likely to do it (I don’t), but because we have no other options.
For all the criticism he gets. Some rightfully, right. We do need him. Knicks are better and formidable with everyone playing. Randle and OG showed us that. This sucks, always knew it was a possibility. It was looking bad last few days. Oh Well !!!!
Roll with what you got. Bogdanovic has to play smart. Give us that scoring 16-18 off the bench. OG and Mitch have to play well. Miles keeps playing. Knicks can play for East.
Just one rd at a time. We got enough to get out of 1st rd. Then we’ll see who we get. It can still be a good run. Let’s do this ……
Need this one tonight ….. let’s start here. 7gms to go.
Get well Julius ……..
link to nba.com
Nice win tonight. Yess
Knicks, Cavs, Magic going down to last gm (6gms). For the the 3-4-5 seeding. I’m good with top 5. Rather top 4. 6 gms left