Tom Thibodeau Explains Why He Sat Julius Randle in Fourth Quarter of Game 4

The All-Star forward finished with just seven points.

When the Knicks pushed past the Cavaliers in the fourth quarter during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series, one of their most reliable contributors was conspicuously absent.

New York forward Julius Randle did not see the floor in the last 12 minutes, which Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau attributed to the after-effects of an ankle sprain sustained on March 29 against the Heat. The Knicks won that quarter 29–22 and the game 102–93.

"He's given us everything that he has," Thibodeau said. "A lot of guys probably wouldn't even be playing. So I knew that with the quick turnaround, probably impact him more than most players."

Randle finished Game 4 with just seven points, two rebounds and an assist in 27 minutes.

"He was out an extended amount of time. So we got multiple days here before the next game, he'll get a chance to get some recovery time," Thibodeau said. "But the thing I love about him is he gives you everything he has. To come back the way he did, to be ready for Game 1, credit to him. And we need him, he's our horse."

Randle has struggled throughout the series—his 17.3 points per game are nearly eight off the 25.1 that made him an All-Star—but his team is one win away from wrapping up their first postseason series win since 2013.