New York Knicks star forward
Julius Randle has decided to undergo shoulder injury that will
sideline him for the rest of the regular season, according to
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Randle, a 2024 NBA All-Star
selection, tried rehabilitating his injured shoulder for two months
in an attempt to make a return for the playoffs. However, doctors
warned him of further injury
and possible permanent damage to his shoulder if he returned to
play before a surgical procedure.
According to Wojnarowski,
Randle’s surgery is expected to
allow for a full recovery and return around the start of the
2024-25 season. Undergoing the surgery soon gives him the recovery
time necessary to target that timeline, and the Knicks would have
Randle reevaluated in September.
This blows a huge hole in New
York’s playoff expectations this season which has shown flashes of
possibly a deep run after acquiring forward OG Anunoby from the
Toronto Raptors. The Knicks are 12-2 in games where both Randle and
Anunoby play and had one of the best defenses in the league. They
are currently 5th in the Eastern Conference at 44-31 with just a
game back of third place Cleveland.
Resigning Anunoby this season
along with Randle’s expected recovery next season would make the
Knicks one of the East’s favorite contenders.
Randle, 29, has averaged 24
points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists in 46 games this
season.
