Julius Randle Eyeing Game 1 Return
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle could be ready to return from an ankle injury on Saturday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. This would be right in time for New York’s first game of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Woj said that Randle has been steadily improving, and will test the ankle before Saturday’s game.
Randle hasn’t played since March 29 after suffering a left ankle sprain. Before the injury, Randle didn’t miss a game for the entire season. Down the stretch, the Knicks were certainly being overly cautious of their use of Randle. New York had wrapped up a playoff spot pretty early, so there was no reason to rush the All-Star back and risk another injury or re-aggravation.
Randle didn’t practice Wednesday. Head coach Tom Thibodeau seemed cautious about speaking to the media about his player’s status.
“It’s hard to say,” Thibodeau said to SNY Wednesday. “You just take it day by … the thing that I like is that each day has been better. You know if he’s ready, he’s ready. If he needs more time, we’ll give him more time.”
The team is mulling Randle’s potential return, kicking the can down the road, probably not to show their hand to Cleveland.
The Best Ability is Availability
Randle is known for his durability, playing in 70-plus games a season every year except one since he joined the league in 2014. Now in his fourth season as a Knick, Randle has been excellent this season. He’s averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds, joining superstars Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only players in the league to hit that mark. Randle has also posted 2.8 three-pointers per game, the highest mark of his career. That stat comes with more attempted threes as well.
If Randle is healthy and ready for a return to the action come Saturday, the Knicks should be competitive and ready to win in this series. Without him, they might run into some trouble.
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