Knicks' Julius Randle Leaves Game 5 vs Cavaliers with Injury; Will He Return?

Julius Randle appeared to sustain another ankle injury in the final minutes of the New York Knicks opening half affairs against the Cleveland Cavalers.

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New York Knicks forward Julius Randle sustained another ankle injury during Game 5 of the team's potential clincher in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. New York leads Cleveland 61-49 at halftime, putting them 24 minutes away from their first NBA playoff series victory since 2013. 

Randle was defending Cleveland's Caris LeVert and rolled his ankle on the shot attempt, a successful three-pointer. The Knicks' All-Star remained on the floor until the team's training staff got to him and initially appeared to be unable to put weight on his ankle before gingerly walking to the sideline. Randle briefly stayed on the Knicks' bench before heading to the locker room.

[[UPDATE, 8:20 p.m. ET]]: The Knicks have announced that Randle sustained a sprained left ankle and is doubtful to return.

Julius Randle (sprained left ankle) is doubtful to return.

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) April 27, 2023

Wednesday's injury appears to be the same ankle that ailed Randle in the final stages of the regular season, which cost Randle the final five games. It occurred with 1:17 remaining in the second quarter and Randle was replaced by Obi Toppin to finish the half.

Randle's playing time has surfaced as a bit of a debate during the Knicks' postseason run and the original ankle injury only raised further questions: head coach Tom Thibodeau partly blamed the ailment for keeping Randle out of fourth quarter action on Sunday, which produced a 102-93 Knicks victory and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven set. 

Randle was beginning to find a bit of a groove before his departure, hitting three consecutive shots to close out the frame en route to 13 points over the first 24. He also dished out a game-best six assists. New York is already missing Randle's fellow starting five staple Quentin Grimes, who has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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