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3 Knicks decisions Tom Thibodeau must make after Julius Randle injury

By Jordanna Clark

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) /
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Just when things were on the up for the New York Knicks with Jalen Brunson’s return to the starting lineup, the team was dealt a tough blow in Wednesday’s 101-92 win over the Heat. Late in the second quarter, Julius Randle secured a rebound and his left foot landed on Bam Adebayo’s foot, leading to a sprained left ankle. Randle didn’t return in the second half.

On Thursday, it was announced that the All-Star would be re-evaluated in two weeks. Therefore, he’ll miss New York’s final five games of the regular season and could wind up missing time in the playoffs, too. Hopefully, he’ll be able to make his return in what will likely end up being a first-round matchup between the Knicks and the Cavaliers.

Before New York makes it to the playoffs, though, Tom Thibodeau has some decisions to make with Randle sidelined.

What’s next for Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks after Julius Randle’s injury update?

3: Reliance on Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson was back in action on Wednesday after missing two games with a right hand injury. Before that, he was battling a bruised left foot that caused him to miss several games. Similar to how things were when there was no Brunson and New York relied on Randle, the Knicks will be relying more so on Brunson with Randle out.

While the final few games of the regular season are important, the Knicks’ win over the Heat gave them a four-game lead over No. 7 Miami. It’s all but guaranteed that the team will avoid the play-in with a playoff berth. If that weren’t the case, New York would be heavily relying on Brunson to carry the offensive workload. He’s averaging 23.6 points per game, which is second on the team to Randle’s 25.1 points average.

Thibodeau likes to leave his guys out there, but Brunson averaging close to 40 minutes over the next five games would only hurt the team. The Knicks will have a break between the last regular season game on Apr. 9 and the start of the playoffs, but Brunson doesn’t need to be run into the ground before then.

Luckily, New York is in a good enough position to not view the next five games as must-win games. That benefits the team as a whole, but especially Brunson.

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