Knicks' Julius Randle: Should be ready for regular season
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Randle (ankle) continues to make steady progress and is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, Steve Aschburner of NBA.com reports.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau's update on Randle was brief, but it brought positive news for the Knicks. The star forward underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle during the offseason, and barring any last-minute setbacks, it shouldn't force him to miss any game action.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Undergoes arthoscopic ankle surgery
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Randle has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and is not expected to resume basketball activities until later this summer, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
After spraining his left ankle in the Knicks' Round 1 series victory over the Cavaliers, the issue continued to linger for Randle throughout the remainder of their playoff run. The veteran big man opted to clean things out in his ankle, and thus will be limited in his offseason training until things ramp up towards the end of summer. He averaged a career-high 25.1 points per game this past season to go along with 10.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.3 blocks and 2.8 triples in 35.5 minutes per game.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Strong from deep to boost offense
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Randle contributed 24 points (7-13 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-10 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one steal across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 112-103 win over Miami in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Randle posted a team-high-tying mark with four threes while finishing as one of three Knicks players with 20 or more points in Wednesday's victory. Randle, who scored 12 of his 24 points in the third quarter in Game 5, has notched at least 20 points and five rebounds in three of four appearances in this series.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Top rebounder in near double-double
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Randle accumulated 20 points (8-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 109-101 loss to Miami in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Randle tallied a team-high rebound total while finishing as one of three Knicks players with 20 or more points in Monday's Game 4 loss. Randle, who finished one board shy of a double-double, has notched at least 20 points and eight rebounds in two of his last three games of the series.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Struggles from field in loss
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Randle finished Saturday's 105-86 loss to Miami in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 10 points (4-15 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 14 rebounds and two assists in 38 minutes.
Randle ended with a double-double, but he was atrocious from the field in a game during which the Knicks had major woes on offense as a team. Randle hasn't been able to translate his excellent regular season form into the playoffs, and he's averaging just 15.2 points per game -- far below the career-high 25.1 points per game he averaged during the regular season.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Nears triple-double in return
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Randle registered 25 points (8-18 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 12 rebounds and eight assists over 38 minutes during Tuesday's 111-105 win over Miami in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Randle led all players in Tuesday's Game 2 in rebounds while posting a double-double showing in his first action since April 26 due to a knee injury. Randle, who finished two assists short of a triple-double, tallied his highest point, rebound and assist totals of the postseason in the victory.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Available to play Tuesday
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Randle (ankle) is available to play in Game 2 against the Heat on Tuesday.
This will be Randle's first action since April 26. Randle was questionable Tuesday morning and didn't do anything besides watch film Monday, so this is a huge boost for New York. The Knicks will like their chances with Jimmy Butler ruled out with an ankle injury. With Randle back in action, Obi Toppin will likely see his role diminish.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Listed as questionable for Game 2
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Randle (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's Game 2 versus Miami, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau said Monday that the Knicks just had a film day, so there was not much for Randle to participate in physically. The coach did add that the forward was "responding well overall," per Fred Katz of The Athletic, and the upgrade to questionable confirms that notion. Randle was initially listed as doubtful before being ruled out for Game 1, and while he's trending in the right direction, his official availability likely won't be known until a few hours ahead of Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Officially ruled out
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Randle (ankle) has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Heat on Sunday.
As expected, Randle has been officially ruled out after Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported earlier Sunday that the forward was unlikely to suit up. Quentin Grimes (shoulder) has been cleared to play after missing the final two games of the opening-round series, but Josh Hart and Obi Toppin will start Sunday next to Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. Randle was able to go through a pregame workout Sunday, but his status for Tuesday's Game 2 remains unclear.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Expected to be sidelined
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Randle (ankle) is officially listed as questionable, but he's expected to be sidelined for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Heat on Sunday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Randle left the Knicks' close-out Game 5 win over the Cavaliers and has been limited at practices since. The talented forward was able to get a pregame workout in before Sunday's contest, so it appears he could return to game action sooner than later. If Randle is indeed ruled out, Obi Toppin could slide into the starting lineup and see more minutes, but RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson would presumably have to handle increased offensive responsibilities, as well.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Going through pregame workout
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Randle (ankle) is officially listed as questionable, but he's going through a pregame workout ahead of Sunday's Game 1 matchup versus the Heat, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic reports.
Randle left the Knicks' close-out Game 5 win over the Cavaliers due to a left ankle sprain and was limited at practices leading up to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but he appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Game 1. His official availability likely won't be known until closer to the 1:00 p.m. ET tipoff, but if he's forced to the sidelines, Obi Toppin would presumably garner increased minutes.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Status uncertain for Game 1
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Randle (ankle) is questionable for Game 1 against the Heat on Sunday.
Randle has been limited at practice after suffering a left ankle sprain in Wednesday's matchup with Cleveland. The star forward averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 28.6 minutes across five games in the first round. If Randle is unable to suit up Sunday, Obi Toppin will likely receive an increased role.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Limited at practice
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Randle (ankle) was limited at Friday's practice but still participated in shooting, lifting and cardio in the pool, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Randle exited Wednesday's close-out Game 5 against the Cavaliers due to a left ankle sprain. An official injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the Heat hasn't yet been released, so Randle should tentatively be considered questionable. Obi Toppin would be in line for a bigger role if Randle sits out.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Will not return Wednesday
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Randle (ankle) returned to the Knicks bench in street clothes and is out for the remainder of Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Cavaliers, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
Randle exited the contest late in the first half after sustaining a sprained left ankle, the same injury that held him out of the Knicks' final five regular-season games. The severity of the injury is unknown. If the Knicks are unable to clinch a berth in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a Game 5 win, Randle's next chance to play would come Friday against Cleveland at Madison Square Garden.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Unlikely to return Wednesday
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Randle is doubtful to return to Game 5 versus the Cavaliers on Wednesday due to a sprained left ankle.
Randle re-injured the same ankle that caused him to miss the final five contests of the regular season while contesting Caris LeVert's jumper with 1:17 left in the second quarter. Randle tallied 13 points, six assists and four rebounds in 16 minutes before exiting Wednesday's game. Obi Toppin has started the second half in his place.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Double-doubles in Game 1 win
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Randle ended Saturday's 101-97 victory over Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with 19 points (7-20 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals across 34 minutes.
Randle struggled with his efficiency but still finished second on the team in scoring and tied Josh Hart with a team-high 10 boards. The Knicks escaped Game 1 with an upset victory, but Randle may need to be sharper moving forward to boost New York's hopes of advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Set to start Saturday
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Randle (ankle) will start Game 1 against the Cavaliers on Saturday, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
Randle had already been reported as "steadily improving" and was widely expected to return to the starting unit ahead of the series opener against the Cavaliers after injuring his ankle against the Heat on March 29. The star big man won't be on a minutes restriction, but the medical and coaching staff will monitor his conditioning throughout the game, according to Cassidy Hubbarth of ESPN. Randle finished the regular season with averages of 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.8 three-pointers in 35.5 minutes across 77 contests.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Officially questionable for Game 1
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Randle (ankle) is listed as questionable for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Cavaliers on Saturday.
Despite the questionable designation, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Randle has been steadily improving and is targeting Saturday's contest as his first game back since suffering an ankle injury during a March 29 win over Miami, so it appears the forward is trending more toward probable than questionable. However, Wojnarowski also relays that Randle's official availability likely won't be known until after he goes through his usual pregame routine, so check back in ahead of Saturday's 6:00 p.m. ET tipoff.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Still not taking contact Thursday
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Randle (ankle) again participated in the non-contact portions of practice Thursday, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
The good news is that Randle is running full speed, and the Knicks' first playoff game isn't until Saturday. Still, it would ease fantasy managers to know that Randle is comfortable taking contact just two days before the matchup. If he's not available for Game 1, it seems possible he'll return in the middle of the series against the Cavaliers.
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Knicks' Julius Randle: Limited participant Tuesday
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Head coach Tim Thibodeau said Randle (ankle) participated in the non-contact parts of Tuesday's practice, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
Randle sprained his left ankle at the end of March and was expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks. He missed New York's final five regular-season games, but it appears the left-handed forward has made good progress since then. However, his official injury designation for Saturday's Game 1 matchup versus the Cavaliers likely won't be known until Friday.
