BREAKING: New York Knicks Player Reportedly Ruled Out For Remainder Of NBA Season
On Thursday evening, the New York Knicks will host the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
Before the game, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that All-Star Julius Randle will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season.
Via Wojnarowski: "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 had another productive year with averages of 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per contest while shooting 47.2% from the field and 31.1% from the three-point range in 46 games.
His absence will be significant for the Knicks, who are seen as a potentinal contender in the Eastern Conference.
Wojnarowski added more details about the situation.
Via Wojnarowski: "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."
Via Wojnarowski: "Randle’s done everything possible to avoid surgery and return for the playoffs, but procedure became an increasing inevitability after recent visits to two specialists who warned of further injury and possible permanent damage to shoulder if he returned to play before a surgical procedure, sources said."
The Knicks are currently the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 44-31 record in 75 games.
They have gone 6-4 over their last ten games and are also in the middle of a three-game losing streak.
Following their matchup with the Kings, the Knicks will play their next game on Friday evening when they visit the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
Randle was the seventh pick in the 2014 NBA Draft (out of Kentucky) and is in his tenth season in the league.
In addition to New York, he has also spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans.
The three-time NBA All-Star has career averages of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest while shooting 47.0% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range in 641 games.
He has helped the Knicks reach the NBA playoffs in two of the previous three seasons.