The New York Knicks are currently the hottest team in the NBA. They have gone 14-2 in 2024, but they are going to face some challenges in the coming weeks. That is because star power forward Julius Randle is going to miss some time.
Last weekend against the Miami Heat, Randle drove to the basket. Jaime Jaquez Jr. attempted to take a charge, sliding in front of him. This is a play that happens pretty regularly in the NBA, but the outcome can sometimes be disastrous, as it was for Randle.
Attempting to brace his fall, Randle put his right hand down on the floor. It resulted in Randle suffering a separated right shoulder. While all indications are that he avoided anything too serious, not many updates have been provided on the situation.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Carmelo Anthony, Julius Randle, New York Knicks Updates
Randle has missed the last two games, both of which the Knicks won, against the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz. He will remain sidelined for Thursday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers and it will likely be a few weeks until we see him back on the court.
Having to play without someone the caliber of Randle is certainly not ideal. But, if there is one positive to this situation, along with the injury not being season-ending, it is that Randle can now get some much-needed rest.
In the opinion of former NBA star and future Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, this could benefit Randle and the Knicks in the long run. While on the 7 pm In Brooklyn Podcast with Mero and Mikal Bridges, Anthony revealed his opinion on the matter and believes this is a good opportunity for Randle to allow his body to heal up.
“Julius Randle just injured his shoulder, get that right, take your time with that… but I think that might be best for him, because you need a break. During the season you don’t get time to recuperate and recover and let your body heal,” Anthony said, via Knicks Memes on X.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Carmelo Anthony, Julius Randle, New York Knicks Updates
That is certainly an interesting take from Anthony, who knows as well as anyone how demanding the NBA regular season can be. It is certainly a marathon, not a spring, and the Knicks have hopes of their season continuing deep into June.
Having a few weeks off in the middle of the season is something that could certainly benefit Randle, who has rarely missed time during his career with the Knicks. Getting him back fresh and 100 percent healthy in late February or early March should provide him with plenty of juice to finish out the regular season and prepare for what the team hopes is a deep playoff run.
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