Knicks' Julius Randle: Undergoes successful surgery
Rotowire
The Knicks announced that Randle underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday and will be re-evaluated in five months, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Randle tried to avoid surgery and return for the playoffs but ultimately had to be shut down for the season in early April after dislocating his right shoulder at the end of January. He ended the 2023-24 campaign with averages of 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 three-pointers in 35.4 minutes across 46 appearances. Randle is under contract for at least one more season, with a player option worth $29.46 million for 2025-26. His re-evaluation timeline cuts it close to the start of training camp next fall, but there's been no indication Randle is at risk of missing the start of the 2024-25 season.
... See More... See Less
Knicks' Julius Randle: Needs surgery, out for season
Rotowire
The Knicks announced Thursday that Randle will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery in the near future and will be re-evaluated in five months.
Randle hasn't played since Jan. 27 due to a dislocated right shoulder. Despite spending the last two months rehabbing with the hope of avoiding surgery and making a late-season return, the 29-year-old forward will ultimately be shut down for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. Randle will end the season with averages of 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 three-pointers in 35.4 minutes across 46 appearances. Josh Hart has routinely seen 40-plus minutes while Randle and OG Anunoby (elbow) have been out for the better part of two months, and that trend should continue with Randle done for the season and with Anunoby facing an uncertain timeline for a return.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday that Randle is still waiting to take contact and is "trying to strengthen the shoulder area," Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports. "Some days have been better than others," Thibodeau added. "But just keep working at it and you never know when it turns. So that's the way we have to approach it."
Updates on Randle have often been vague and infrequent since he sustained a dislocated right shoulder in the Knicks' Jan. 27 win over the Heat. Though he was able to avoid surgery on the injury, the veteran power forward doesn't seem to have significant progress in the ensuing two months. For about the past three weeks, Randle has been limited to taking light contact with pads on the court, so he still looks to be closer to week-to-week than day-to-day at this stage of his recovery. The Knicks remain hopeful to get Randle back for the playoffs if not the end of the regular season, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues likely can't justify holding him while his return timeline remains uncertain.
Knicks' Julius Randle: Still practicing, limited contact
Rotowire
Randle (shoulder) continues ramping up in "controlled contact situations" but has not progressed to any scrimmaging as of Tuesday, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Randle's timeline for returning from a dislocated shoulder is difficult to evaluate given the re-injury risk of destabilized shoulders and the muscle re-strengthening needed. Coach Tom Thibodeau did not disclose an estimation for Randle ascending to 5-on-5 action, so he remains week-to-week.
Knicks' Julius Randle: Practicing with light contact
Rotowire
Randle (shoulder) took light contact Thursday during the Knicks' practice session, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.
Randle hasn't played since Jan. 27 due to a dislocated right shoulder. While the 29-year-old forward has avoided surgery, his return to game action isn't imminent, even though his presence on the court for practice is a positive sign. He was sporting padding on his right shoulder during Thursday's practice to protect himself from further injury, but until he's cleared to take contact, the Knicks likely won't have a target date for his return to the lineup.
