The New York Knicks and Miami Heat will renew their rivalry in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, starting with Game 1 at the Garden on Sunday. The Heat suffered two tough injuries in round one while the Knicks could be without two of their starters in Julius Randle and Quentin Grimes.
Randle was having his best game of the playoffs in Game 5 but late in the second quarter, his left foot landed on Caris LeVert’s foot and he sprained his ankle. It’s the same ankle that he sprained on March 29 against the Heat at the end of the regular season, but this sprain isn’t as severe as that one was.
Grimes missed Games 4 and 5 with a shoulder contusion, but he went through a full practice on Friday.
Is Julius Randle playing vs Heat?
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Julius Randle (ankle) will be out for Game 1 after he reinjured his left ankle in New York’s Game 5 win over Cleveland. Here’s what Tom Thibodeau said about Randle on Saturday:
"“Didn’t do [much], just mainly rehab stuff. He’s day to day… We’ll see where he is [Sunday],” Thibodeau said Saturday in Tarrytown. “He’s not limping, but he hasn’t done anything on the court other than the shooting [on Friday].”"
Knicks All-Star F Julius Randle (ankle sprain) is expected to be out for Game 1 vs. Miami today, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 30, 2023
Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go for Game 2 on Tuesday.
Is Quentin Grimes playing vs Heat?
Quentin Grimes (shoulder contusion) was upgraded from questionable to available.
Full Knicks injury report vs Heat
Julius Randle (ankle) and Jericho Sims (shoulder) are out for New York. Sims underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last Wednesday.
Is Bam Adebayo playing vs Knicks?
Bam Adebayo (hamstring) was upgraded from questionable to available.
Full Heat injury report vs Knicks
Tyler Herro (hand) and Victor Oladipo (knee) are out against New York.
Knicks’ projected starting lineup vs Heat
Even with Quentin Grimes back, New York is expected to roll with this lineup:
- Jalen Brunson
- Josh Hart
- RJ Barrett
- Obi Toppin
- Mitchell Robinson
Knicks’ upcoming games and playoff schedule
New York will play another game at the Garden on Tuesday before traveling to Miami for Games 3 and 4.
May 2 in New York
May 6 at Miami
May 8 at Miami
May 10 in New York (if necessary)
May 12 at Miami (if necessary)
May 15 in New York (if necessary)
5 Biggest Knicks questions ahead of rivalry rematch against Heat
The New York Knicks beat the Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs and will now face the Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.