Bad news for the New York Knicks: Forward Julius Randle will no longer be able to play this season. This means the loss of a very important player
Julius Randle has been sidelined since January 27 due to a shoulder injury. The plan was for the 29-year-old to return to action in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Doctors had recently warned him not to play again this season because his shoulder was still too unstable.
According to ESPN, Randle will now undergo shoulder surgery and will be out for the rest of the season. After rehab and full recovery, the plan is for the forward to be able to return to full action next season
For the New York Knicks, this is of course a major setback, as Randle is the most important player on the team alongside Jalen Brunson (27.8 points on average, the team’s top scorer), which also features German center Isaiah Hartenstein.
The three-time All-Star Randle (2021, 2022, 2024), who was unable to take part in the All-Star Game this year due to injury, is averaging 24 points this season. He also grabs 9.2 rebounds and distributes five assists
Home court advantage in the playoffs possible
It remains to be seen how the Knicks will cope with this bitter loss, especially in the playoffs. Things are currently looking good in New York, as head coach Tom Thibodeau’s team is currently in fifth place in the conference with a strong 44 wins from 75 games. However, their lead over seventh place, which would mean a place in the play-in tournament, is currently just one win
