Julius Randle Shoulder: How Long Will Knicks' Star Miss with Injury?

Julius Randle - SIC score 43

Will miss at least a few weeks with right shoulder dislocation he suffered on Jan. 27 - likely heading toward surgery with a chance to miss the rest of the regular season - helps that he is left handed but injury makes it difficult to battle for rebounds or play defense in the post.

The New York Knicks' star left the game on Saturday after a hard fall while driving to the basket.

Randle collided with Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. as he attempted to finish a layup. He was helped to the locker room immediately and did not return to the game.

The team reportedly received positive news on Monday that Randle can avoid surgery on the dislocated shoulder and return within weeks instead of months.

Traditionally, Randle has been a durable player throughout the past few years. He has appeared in more than 70 games in every season since his 2019-20 season. 

The Knicks will need other players to fill the scoring void as Randle has averaged 24.1 points per game.

Recent trade acquisition OG Anunoby should play a bigger role with Randle out. Anunoby is averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 14 games with the Knicks.

New York is 29-17 this season and 8-2 in its last 10 games. As of Monday morning, the Knicks sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference – 1 game behind the third place 76ers and a half game ahead of the fifth place Cavaliers.