A right groin strain will keep Timberwolves forward Julius Randle out of action “for the near future,” coach Chris Finch said in a session with reporters before tonight’s game (Twitter link from Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic).
While that’s a vague assessment, it sounds like the Wolves may be reluctant to let Randle play again before the All-Star break, which is less than two weeks away. Minnesota has eight games remaining before the break, starting with tonight’s contest against Washington.
Finch added that the training staff needs to get a second opinion on some medical imaging before setting a timeline for Randle to resume playing, tweets Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. However, Finch indicated that the veteran forward is expected to be sidelined for more than just a few days.
Randle had to leave Thursday’s game at Utah in the second quarter when he experienced soreness in his right groin area, Hine writes in a full game story. He played a little over 10 minutes and wasn’t able to return.
Randle’s health is a legitimate concern after the shoulder separation that caused him to sit out the second half of last season with the Knicks.
He has been remarkably durable in his first year with Minnesota, as tonight marks his first missed game. The three-time All-Star has played a major role in the team’s recent resurgence and is averaging 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists through 48 games.
In Randle’s absence, Naz Reid will make his first start of the season and will probably remain in the starting lineup until Randle is able to return.
Unleash the Garzilla
I jinxed him
Finally as he was really hitting his stride and the team were playing really well with each this happens smh
Better now and be healthy for the playoff run.
They need to make the playoffs first. Play in tourney is not good enough.
I was kind of on the fence. When Knicks first got Randle. He won me over. With his work and showing up. Sometimes he’s his own worst enemy. Has to just embrace the supporting role. Just make the team better. Randle is always in shape. He should be ok.
I think Al he consolidated in Knicks, what he had shown before with the Lakers and Pelicans, his great offensive game as a scorer, ballhandler and playmaker (even with tunnel vision at times), and proved with work ethic and as you say, showing up and being consistent with his output night in and out. Knicks left behind the lottery years of before and slowly rebuilt, till getting to now, a true menace.
It was tough to see the Atlanta series in 2021, in which he struggled, because that team and Randle are ones that one genuinely root for and want them succeed. All through hard work, step by step, no tanking.
The Towns trade doesn’t substract him any bit of the importance he had in the Knicks resurgence and current position as a really, really tough team to play against, and one that has solid reasons for a Finals run.
Thank you Julius. A great player.
Knicks needed a 1 so much. He felt that pressure. He was a three time all star. So he needs to be applauded. But you have to adapt to other players. To become good team. That’s he’s still trying to fit in Minny.
Excellent news for the Wolves. Now without Randle, they will go on a winning streak…
Bad news, now they might not be able to trade him and possibly be stuck with him if he opts into his player option. Then they wont be able to sign Reid & NAW.
They were on a 5 game winning strike when he got hurt.
wth is the near future lol
Get rid of him. Sign Naz long term. Randle can’t play defense and turns the ball over like a guard. He is the most overpaid PF in the league.
I swear he thinks he is a guard. He probably dreams of being a point guard ( who doesn’t turn the ball over.)
Dreams don’t cost anything….or do they