Julius Randle injury update takes Knicks right down to playoff wire

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks walks after getting injured during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks walks after getting injured during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After getting Jalen Brunson back in the starting lineup, the New York Knicks suffered another injury blow in Wednesday’s 101-92 win over Miami. Late in the second quarter, Julius Randle landed awkwardly on his left ankle and was on the ground for several minutes before he was able to get up.

Randle was going up for a rebound and after securing the board, his left foot came down on Bam Adebayo’s foot. Adebayo fouled him on the play and after being down, Randle hit one of two free throws before limping off the court toward the locker room. It was announced shortly thereafter that he wouldn’t return in the second half.

After the win, Immanuel Quickley said that Randle was in good spirits. Tom Thibodeau didn’t have an update on the All-Star’s sprained left ankle, but he said that Randle would undergo further testing on Thursday.

Although many fans were hoping that Randle would miss only a few games, it was reported on Thursday afternoon that he would be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Knicks’ Julius Randle set to be re-evaluated in two weeks after spraining left ankle

With the regular season rapidly coming to a close, New York will be without Julius Randle for the final five games. Based on the timeline of two weeks, he’ll be re-evaluated on Apr. 13, two days before the start of the playoffs.

While that certainly isn’t what fans were hoping to hear, the good news is that the Knicks are four games ahead of the Heat, the No. 7 team in the East. If New York were sitting in play-in tournament range, Randle most likely wouldn’t be able to play. The Knicks’ spot in the top six of the conference will give the team several days off between the final regular season game on Apr. 9 and the start of the playoffs.

Randle was headed toward being the first Knick since Robin Lopez in 2015-16 to play in all 82 games of the regular season. Now, the hope is that the forward will be able to recover in time for the first round of the playoffs.

Get well soon, Julius.