The New York Knicks needed Julius Randle to show up for Game 5 after struggling in the first few games of the series. Although his shot wasn’t falling early on, he was letting the game come to him, which is what Knicks fans have been wanting to see.
Randle was finding open looks for his teammates, posting five assists before he knocked down his first field goal. In the second quarter, he started to get into more of a groove offensively by finishing around the basket, but then what fans were hoping wouldn’t happen, happened.
Randle was defending Caris LeVert, who went up for a shot and when Randle came down, his left ankle landed on LeVert’s left foot. It was evident immediately that Randle was in pain as he remained on the floor and was holding his ankle. Randle stayed down for a minute before he was helped up and limped off the floor straight to the locker room.
New York played the fourth quarter of Game 4 without Randle, who was benched by Tom Thibodeau. The version of Randle that was at MSG on Sunday wasn’t hurting his team when he was on the floor, but that wasn’t the same story in Game 5.
Julius Randle heads to the locker room with an injury, let's hope he's all good 🙏
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) April 27, 2023
His first half:
13 PTS - 4 REB - 6 AST pic.twitter.com/4i8GT1NSl6
Knicks’ Julius Randle reaggravates left ankle after having best start of series
Julius Randle missed the last five games of the regular season after he sprained his left ankle against the Heat on March 29. It was unknown whether or not he’d be back in time for Game 1 of the first-round series, and after being listed as questionable, he was back in his usual spot in the starting lineup.
After Game 4, Tom Thibodeau made it known that Randle was still dealing with his ankle injury, but he didn’t do into detail about it. Randle practiced fully with the team on Tuesday before leaving for Cleveland and wasn’t on the injury report leading up to Wednesday’s game.
He was having by far his best game of the series, posting 13 points (4-of-9), six assists, and four rebounds before exiting the game late in the second quarter. It was a good sign that he was able to limp off the floor without assistance, but as expected, it was reported during the half that he was doubtful to return to Game 5 with a sprained ankle.
Julius Randle is doubtful to return due to sprained left ankle, Knicks say.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 27, 2023
Every Knicks fan should be hoping even more now that New York will be able to finish Cleveland off in Game 5. The added time before the start of the second round would give Julius Randle additional time to recover. But for now, it’s back to being Obi Toppin time.
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