The 2023-24 NBA season was shaping up to be a special one for the New York Knicks. Their trade with the Toronto Raptors ahead of the new year reshaped the roster and raised the ceiling of the team.
With OG Anunoby joining the starting lineup along with Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein, the team was rolling. They were the best team in the NBA with that group leading the way, but it didn’t last very long.
That group played together for 14 games before injuries set in. Anunoby was dealing with an elbow injury that cost him 18 games. He was able to play in three more before it sidelined him again.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
While there is still some hope and optimism that he will get back on the court this season, the same can no longer be said about Randle. On Wednesday, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN announced that Randle would undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder.
Randle injured his shoulder on January 27th against the Miami Heat. Rookie Jamie Jaquez Jr. attempted to take an ill-advised charge, which sent Randle crashing to the floor. Attempting to brace his fall, he put his right hand down and the separation occurred.
He had hit the rehab process hard, as he was doing everything in his power to get back on the court. Randle worked tirelessly before games, but he could not get cleared for full contact, as the most he did was controlled contact at practice.
But, the risk began outweighing the reward too much. Unable to get stability back in the shoulder, the decision to undergo surgery became the only logical path to take. According to Wojnarowski, after visiting specialists, it became clear that further injury or permanent damage could be done to his shoulder if he tried to play.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Julius Randle & New York Knicks Updates
This is a brutal blow to the Knicks’ chances of advancing deep into the NBA playoffs. Randle was an integral part of their success earlier this season and replacing him at this point is an impossibility.
The only positive to undergoing surgery now is that it improves the likelihood of Randle being ready for the start of the 2024-25 NBA regular season. Had he continued rehabbing and trying to come back and underwent surgery in May or June, the chances of being ready for Opening Night next season would have been slim to none.
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