The New York Knicks had no business hanging around with the Bucks on Friday in the In-Season Tournament. New York was without RJ Barrett, Julius Randle shot 5-of-20 from the field, and Milwaukee shot 20-of-39 (51.3%) from deep, but the Knicks lost by only five points, 110-105.
New York took the lead late in the fourth quarter on a three from Jalen Brunson but then collapsed. His 45 points (17-of-30) weren’t enough to propel his team to a miracle win, and it would’ve helped if Randle hadn’t put up another horrible shooting night. It’s one thing when shots aren’t falling, but it’s a whole different thing when Randle’s finishing possessions like this.
You can’t win with Julius Randle pic.twitter.com/TV87paDg2O
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 4, 2023
He entered the night averaging 13.2 points on 27.6% shooting from the field and 25.8% from three, and he didn’t do anything to help those numbers. Along with shooting 25% from the floor in Milwaukee, Randle shot 1-of-9 from three (11%). The forward has already made history this season, not in a good way.
This was going into tonight’s game vs. Milwaukee
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 4, 2023
from @StatsWilliams
Randle is shooting 27.6% this season, the worst through 5 games by any player with at least 75+ attempts since Jim Jackson in 2000-01.
5-20 tonight (1-9 from 3)
Knicks fans react to another Julius Randle offensive dud after loss to Bucks
Julius Randle is coming off a season where he was named to an All-NBA team/All-Star for the second time. He did sustain an ankle sprain late in the regular season and reinjured the same ankle in the playoffs. Randle underwent ankle surgery soon after New York was eliminated in the postseason and returned to playing 5-on-5 during training camp.
Maybe Randle’s offseason recovery has something to do with his slow start, but that can’t explain his disengagement. The team is 2-4 to start the year, and while there’s still a lot of basketball left to be played, fans are rightfully frustrated.
This is the most Julius Randle possession I’ve ever seen. It is beyond time to go. Trade him anywhere
— Charlie Quinn (@CharlieQuinnMMA) November 4, 2023
Society if Julius Randle didn't turn into a G-League Player every other season pic.twitter.com/ww5MrXhC7w
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) November 4, 2023
Julius Randle tonight pic.twitter.com/zohDqE8TcG
— mo (@mo77985514) November 4, 2023
Might need to factory reset Julius Randle
— jason concepcion (@netw3rk) November 4, 2023
I can’t do a full season watching Julius Randle do this man pic.twitter.com/ZR2rhSekDP
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) November 4, 2023
*Julius Randle, 5-19 from the field, with Giannis on him and Brook Lopez lurking in the paint*
— Dean (@DeanJoannou) November 4, 2023
“It’s Julius Randle Time”
Even Kendrick Perkins had enough of watching Randle by halftime.
The Knicks has to do something with Julius Randle and his damn ball hogging!!! God Bless America pic.twitter.com/LzqpbBV9OG
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) November 4, 2023
It’s still early, but New York can’t afford to have this version of Randle hanging around for much longer. If this level of play continues, Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks will be forced to make some tough decisions. Hey, that’s why they have Obi Toppin! Oh, yeah, never mind.