Julius Randle Ankle Injury Update Ahead Of Knicks-Heat Game 1 On Sunday

Suffering a sprained ankle in Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the New York Knicks' first-round playoff series, Julius Randle's status for the start of the Eastern Conference Semifinals is unclear.

Advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2013 after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first-round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks will now face a challenge going up against the Miami Heat. 

Coming off of a five-game series win over the 1-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, Jimmy Butler and the Heat are playing the best basketball they have played all season long, which is why the Knicks will need everyone available and healthy heading into the series. 

Unfortunately for the Knicks, All-Star forward Julius Randle re-injured his left ankle in Game 5 against the Cavaliers on Wednesday night, leaving his status for Game 1 against the Heat on Sunday up-in-the-air. 

Head coach Tom Thibodeau provided an update on his star's status recently, stating that the team is hopeful that Randle will be able to play this weekend. 

Tom Thibodeau provides an update on Julius Randle's status:

"We're hopeful...he moved well today" pic.twitter.com/jBSKSSMsop

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 28, 2023

"He didn't do much today, but he's feeling a little bit better and he'll go through the rehab and we will see where he is tomorrow," Thibodeau said. "He's better today than he was yesterday and that was the big thing, so we are hopeful."

Thibodeau also said that Randle did some cardio work in the pool and did some spot shooting, which is a good sign for New York's big man. 

Julius Randle missed the team's final five regular season games as a result of a sprained left ankle, the same ankle he tweaked again on Wednesday night. 

"We will see where he is tomorrow, but he moved well today."

As things stand, the Knicks have not given any clear medical updates on Randle, nor have they said his status for Game 1 at home against the Heat. 

This Eastern Conference Semifinals series will begin on Sunday, April 30 in Madison Square Garden.