Getty Julius Randle looks ahead.
New York Knicks superstar Julius Randle will undergo season-ending right should surgery, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
“BREAKING: After two months of rehabilitation to attempt a return to the New York Knicks, All-NBA forward Julius Randle will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery, sources tell ESPN.
“Randle – who’s been out since dislocating his shoulder on Jan. 27 – had been relentlessly rehabilitating to resume playing prior to the playoffs, but doctors warned him that his shoulder’s continued instability made it unsafe for him to play again this season, sources tell ESPN.”
The 29-year-old Randle was having another impressive season before going down, averaging 24 points and 9.2 rebounds.
Knicks Impressed With Randle and OG Anunoby on the Court
When the New York Knicks were healthy with Randle and OG Anunoby on the court, they had a 12-2 record and the No. 1 defense in the NBA throughout those 14 games.
Randle had a very impressive stretch in January, scoring 30 or more points in six of the team’s 14 games. Anunoby underwent a procedure on his right elbow, making a return on March 12. However, he hasn’t played since March 16 due to the injury.
While the 12-2 stretch with both of them on the court was impressive, the Knicks haven’t been healthy since the end of January
Josh Hart hinted at being without Randle and Anunoby after the Knicks 113-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 31, telling Tim Bontemps of ESPN that they’ll “be pleasantly surprised” if they come back.
“I’m looking at it like this is the team we’re going to have,” Hart said.
“I think that’s how we have to approach it, that those guys aren’t coming back and obviously we’ll be pleasantly surprised if they come back. I’m not in those medical conversations or anything like that, so I don’t know… But we’ve got to approach every game and the end of this season that those guys aren’t coming back, and if they do, be pleasantly surprised.”
Randle Expected to Make Full Return
Randle is under contract for the 2024-25 season, due $27.5 million from the New York Knicks.
While disappointing that he won’t play in the playoffs, the Knicks have to be smart with his future given he’s a big piece to the success of the team.
According to Wojnarowski, Randle will make a full recovery and return around the start of the 2024-25 season.
“Randle’s surgery is expected to allow for a full recovery and return around the start of the 2024-25 season, sources said. Undergoing the surgery soon gives him the recovery time necessary to target that timeline.”
Wojnarowski added that Randle did everything he could to avoid the procedure, but specialists warned him of permanent damage, leading to the decision to get the procedure done.
“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.”
The Knicks will be without one of the top scorers in basketball, a tough blow heading into the playoffs.