The New York Knicks were one of the teams who needed the All-Star break the most in the NBA. Injuries have hit them hard in recent weeks, putting a chilling on the hot start they had in 2024.
New York came out of the gates on fire, going 12-2 after the players they acquired from the Toronto Raptors were in the lineup. However, their season took a turn on January 27th in their matchup against the Miami Heat.
That was when their starting forward tandem, OG Anunoby and Julius Randle, both last played. Anunoby has been dealing with an elbow issue, which he underwent a procedure for. The Knicks are confident he will be back, potentially the first week of March.
A timetable for Randle, however, is not as definite. Randle suffered a separated shoulder against the Heat as he landed hard on his right arm, attempting to brace his fall after Heat rookie Jamie Jaquez Jr. slid underneath him attempting to take a charge.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
Randle is known for his toughness and willingness to play through bumps and bruises. For him to be sidelined there has to be something seriously wrong. He is pushing to get out there as soon as possible, but there are still some hurdles for him to overcome.
According to Steve Popper of Newsday Sports, Randle has said that surgery has not yet been ruled out. But, he is hoping to avoid that route and is doing everything in his power to get back on the court as soon as possible.
The Knicks have missed their NBA All-Star on the court the last few weeks as there has been a lot of pressure on Jalen Brunson to carry the offensive load. Other players, such as Donte DiVincenzo, have stepped up their production, but New York isn’t the same without the bruising Randle in the lineup.
If the Knicks want any chance of truly contending for the NBA Championship this season, they will need Randle healthy and in the lineup. It certainly isn’t ideal for him to be missing games, but if he can rehab and be 100 percent healthy once the postseason rolls around, it is a trade-off New York will take.
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