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The New York Knicks were playing their best basketball in decades earlier this year and posted an impressive 14-2 card in January. But a shoulder injury to Julius Randle that same month resulted in New York losing the All-Star forward for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
The Knicks walloped the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets by 38 points on Jan. 25 before silencing the defending Eastern Conference king Miami Heat by 16 points two days later. But with less than five minutes remaining in the win over the Heat, disaster struck. Randle hit the floor hard after getting fouled by Jaime Jaquez Jr. and his season officially ended last week when he opted to have shoulder surgery.
Speaking on Randle’s injury, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We knew it was a possibility all along, he did all he could to get back, and he never got to the point where he felt comfortable. It's a tough break for him, but our reality is what our reality is, and that's the one thing that I'm proud of with our team is that they've shown great fight all year long when guys have gone out."
"So we were approaching it as if we weren't going to have him, and if we got him, it would have been a bonus for him. So just keep doing what we’re doing."
Randle has been sidelined since dislocating his right shoulder against the Heat in late January. The Knicks' second-best offensive weapon averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists in 46 games this season. He will be re-evaluated in five months and might not fully recover when training camp begins in September.
The 29-year-old is guaranteed $27.6 million next season and has a player option for $29.5 million for the 2025-26 campaign. The 10-year-veteran told Bleacher Report he suffered a setback in rehab before deciding to have season-ending surgery.
"I want everyone to know that I did everything in my power to get back this season," Randle said in an interview. "That was my intention, to be playing right now. That's why I didn't opt for surgery when it happened.
"But what caused me to finally go through with getting surgery was about five weeks ago, I went through a full-contact session in pads and re-injured my shoulder. My s–t wasn't stable. I felt like I was in the same state when I first dislocated it, and it's been an uphill battle ever since.
"Choosing to get surgery was my only option at this point. It's frustrating, but I'm at peace knowing I tried everything."
The loss of Randle has undoubtedly affected the Knicks' playoff odds, a factor keenly observed by enthusiasts and bettors on legal NBA betting sites. This puts a damper on the Knicks' plans of butting heads with the Heat, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Thibodeau remains confident that New York can overcome the loss of its talented forward and still make some noise in the postseason.
"I haven't talked to him since the other day, but I will," Thibodeau told the NY Post. "Look, you don't wanna see anyone get hurt. In his case, he went through last summer and then he had a terrific season.
"But this is part of it. If you're playing pro sports, injuries are part of it. And so, he'll take care of his shoulder and then there will be rehabbing and he'll be ready for next season. So in the meantime, the guys that are here, we have to lock into the challenges that we have and get ready for what's coming."
Without Randle, the Knicks will use Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa at the power forward position. Hart averages 9.1 points, 8.2 boards, and 4.1 assists in 77 games, while Achiuwa is averaging 7.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 46 games. Hart commended Randle for working hard to overcome the injury.
"Obviously, this is a bummer. He worked his butt off trying to get back and just unfortunately wasn't able to."
Thibodeau is hopeful that the duo can combine to replace the offensive production of his injured forward. The Knicks are currently the fifth seed in the East, just half a game behind the Orlando Magic.
"The next guy get in here, get the job done," Thibodeau said. "I've said this to you guys from the start. We're not replacing Julius individually. We're doing it collectively. And that's one thing that this team has responded extremely well to."
New York's playoff push was ignited by the return of OG Anunoby, who missed nine consecutive games dealing with an injury to his surgically repaired elbow. The Knicks' performance aspirations received a significant boost with OG Anunoby's return to the lineup after he missed nine consecutive games due to an injury to his surgically repaired elbow.
Anunoby's impactful performances are vital to the Knicks, providing a strong defensive presence and versatile scoring that deeply enhances the team's capabilities on both ends of the court.
"I definitely wanted to play some games before the playoffs started," Anunoby said. The defensive stalwart was on a minutes restriction and tallied 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting in 29 minutes.
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All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson was also thrilled to see Anunoby return to the court against the Chicago Bulls.
"I'm happy he's back, happy he's healthy," Brunson said. "Obviously, we didn't win so it clouds my judgment right now (on how Anunoby played), but just happy he's healthy and out there."
The Knicks got their groove back on Sunday with an exciting 122-109 win over the Bucks. Brunson poured in 43 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes to reinforce his case for All-NBA honors. The point guard has averaged a whopping 37 points in five games against Milwaukee this season.
"It's important but we got to build off that," Brunson said. "We haven't been playing our best as of late. So this was definitely a big win for us so we have to build off that."
Isaiah Hartenstein added a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds and turned in the play of the game when he intercepted a pass into the paint and dove onto the floor for a loose ball that led to a crucial layup.
"That was unbelievable," Thibodeau said. "Those type of plays, they inspire, they unite. If that doesn't get you excited — even you guys
"I just did what the team needed," Hartenstein said. "Just putting your body on the line. That's kind of how I play. I don't really care if I kind of go out there with bruises, it's whatever the team needs. At that moment that was a big possession. Any ball at the end of the clock I can get I'll go get it."
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