Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that forward Julius Randle of the New York Knicks is done for the season and will have surgery on his right shoulder.
Since he dislocated his shoulder on January 27, Randle has not been in the starting lineup for the Knicks. He has been recovering for the last two and a half months in an effort to avoid surgery and make a comeback for the playoffs, but medical professionals have cautioned that he cannot play again this season without running the danger of long-term damage to his shoulder.
The 29-year-old Randle averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game prior to leaving the Knicks roster.
How Much would the Knicks miss Julius Randle ?
The Knicks were 29-17 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at the time of Randle’s injury. After losing to the Miami Heat on Tuesday for the third time in a row, New York is now in fifth place and has played 15–14 without Randle. With Boston’s 24-5 record throughout the same period, their six-game deficit to the top-ranked Boston Celtics has shrunk to sixteen.
The three-time NBA All-Star Randle is anticipated to be ready for action come 2024–25 season, according to Wojnarowski. By having surgery now, he will have enough time to heal and be back for opening night.
Under head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are attempting to make their third postseason berth in four years. There are seven games left in the regular season, and they are now just ahead of a play-in game berth.
The goal for the Knicks after acquiring OG Anunoby in December was to make a significant impression in the Eastern Conference. With Anunoby and Randle starting, they went 12-2 and had the best defensive records in the NBA during that time.
Anunoby, on the other hand, has appeared in three games since Randle’s dislocated shoulder. The Knicks referred to Anunoby’s condition as “right elbow tendinopathy,” and there is no estimated date for his comeback.