David Chao, MD
2 min read • April 14, 2023
Posted in
The New York Knicks’ Julius Randle suffered a standard inversion left ankle sprain that caused him to miss the team's remaining five games. But the Knicks had already clinched a top-five seed, so there was no need to rush Randle back. Furthermore, Randle was seen without a walking boot on Sunday, which raised Knicks fan’s optimism.
But the Knicks play the Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, and Randle hasn’t been cleared for contact.
On Thursday, the Knicks didn’t allow the media to view any parts of their practice, which raised a red flag. Randle has not spoken to the media since suffering the injury.
According to the Pro Basketball Docs, Randle will be a close call to return from his left ankle sprain on Saturday. The Knicks’ second game against the Cavs is on Tuesday, which would give Randle 20 days off since the injury. This seems like a more realistic outcome for Randle’s return to the court.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau spoke to the media about the injury:
“That’s where you have to trust the medical staff, and you trust Julius. So, between what they think, they’re the experts, and Julius knows his body,” Thibodeau said. “Medical people, I have a lot of confidence in. We’re not gonna put him at risk. If he can go, he’ll go. We know that. He’s a gamer. If he can go, he’ll go.”
Thibodeau reportedly declined to go into further detail about the injury.
The 6-foot-8 250, pound forward has averaged a career-high 25.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 46% from the field and 34.3% from three this season.
The Cavs run a two-big lineup with their power forward Evan Mobley being and center Jarrett Allen both being listed at 6-foot-11. Furthermore, Mobley is projected to finish as a top 3 candidate to win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, including getting a first-place vote from The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
Obi Toppin has started in Randle’s place and he averaged 21.8 points per game in the final five games.
The Knicks are currently +10000 to win the NBA Finals, while the Cavs are +4600, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
New York is +172 to win the series and are 5.5-point underdogs on the road in Game 1.
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Written by David Chao, MD
