Jalen Brunson: 'Team' Effort Will Fix Julius Randle, New York Knicks' Shooting Woes

Jalen Brunson absolved Julius Randle's early shooting streak, saying it'll take a team effort from the New York Knicks to fully solve.

Entering Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle had shot 27 percent from the field in the early stages of the 2023-24 season. A far drop from last season's All-Star/All-NBA output, that number put him at dead last among players who average at least 10 points per game. 

But maybe the Knicks can do some things to help him out, Jalen Brunson claims

Prior to the Clippers' visit, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson defended Randle amidst the slump, believing that he and the other New York facilitators can play a role in restoring his 

"We just have to space better and get in his vision," Brunson said in a report from Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. "When he does see bodies, we have to be able to get in those windows where he can make the pass. We can't be in the line of our defender."

Guard Jalen Brunson and the rest of the New York Knicks could help Julius Randle amidst his shooting struggles / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

To his credit, Randle has shown noticeable improvement in his own passing game, currently tied for fourth among power forwards in assists per game at 5.2. If the Knicks are able to build on that, Randle could very well begin to turn his shooting numbers around.

"It's a team thing," Brunson said. "For us to be better, we obviously need him, so we just have to stick together at that point."

Randle started to get his scoring back on track in a 111-97 victory over the Clippers on Monday, scoring a game-best, and season-best, 27 points on 9-of-21 shooting. The Knicks (3-4) dished out 28 assists in the win led by seven from Josh Hart off the bench. Brunson struggled from the field (2-of-12) but six assists in the win, the Knicks' first at Madison Square Garden this season.

A three-game homestand continues for the Knicks on Wednesday night when they host the San Antonio Spurs (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).