Knicks forward Julius Randle, who hasn't played since Jan. 27, will undergo surgery on his right shoulder, ending his season, sources told ESPN.
Randle, who has been out since dislocating his shoulder on Jan. 27, had been relentlessly rehabilitating to resume playing prior to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Doctors warned him recently that continued instability in the shoulder made it unsafe for him to play again this season, sources said.
He had done everything possible to avoid surgery and return for the playoffs, but the procedure became an increasing inevitability after recent visits to two specialists who warned of further injury and possible permanent damage to the shoulder if he returned to play before a surgical procedure, sources said.Randle's surgery is expected to allow for a full recovery and return around the start of the 2024-25 season, sources said.
This is a significant blow to a Knicks team that has shown promise of making a postseason run. New York was 12-2 with Randle andin the lineup together and had the league's No. 1 defense during those 14 games. The Knicks have largely played the past two months without Anunoby and Randle but are in fifth in the East and only one game out of the third seed.
Randle's recovery and return next season -- along with the re-signing of Anunoby -- could make the Knicks one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. Randle, who earned his third All-Star selection this season, was averaging 24 points on 47% shooting, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game. At one point this season, he had 19 consecutive games with 20 points or more -- the longest streak of his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information.He had offseason ankle surgery in the summer of 2023, after playing through an injury to compete in the late season and playoffs for New York.
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