Knicks’ Julius Randle to undergo shoulder surgery, miss rest of season

New York Knicks star forwardJulius Randle has decided to undergo shoulder injury that willsideline him for the rest of the regular season, according toESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Randle, a 2024 NBA All-Starselection, tried rehabilitating his injured shoulder for two monthsin an attempt to make a return for the playoffs. However, doctorswarned him of further injuryand possible permanent damage to his shoulder if he returned toplay before a surgical procedure.

According to Wojnarowski,Randle's surgery is expected toallow for a full recovery and return around the start of the2024-25 season. Undergoing the surgery soon gives him the recoverytime necessary to target that timeline, and the Knicks would haveRandle reevaluated in September.

This blows a huge hole in NewYork’s playoff expectations this season which has shown flashes ofpossibly a deep run after acquiring forward OG Anunoby from theToronto Raptors. The Knicks are 12-2 in games where both Randle andAnunoby play and had one of the best defenses in the league. Theyare currently 5th in the Eastern Conference at 44-31 with just agame back of third place Cleveland.

Resigning Anunoby this seasonalong with Randle’s expected recovery next season would make theKnicks one of the East’s favorite contenders.

Randle, 29, has averaged 24points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists in 46 games thisseason.