Julius Randle, Knicks forward, to have shoulder surgery, ending season

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle will miss the remainder of the season after the team announced he will undergo surgery on his right shoulder. Randle has been sidelined since Jan. 27 after dislocating his shoulder and will now be re-evaluated in five months.

The 29-year-old Randle was averaging an impressive 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game before his injury. The Knicks, who were 29-17 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at the time of his injury, have struggled in his absence, going 15-14 and dropping to fifth place.

Despite the setback, Randle is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Knicks, under head coach Tom Thibodeau, are aiming for their third postseason appearance in four years and are currently just ahead of a play-in game spot with seven games left in the regular season.

The team had hoped to make a strong impact in the Eastern Conference after acquiring OG Anunoby in December. However, Anunoby has also been dealing with injury issues, playing just three games since Randle’s injury. The Knicks will have to navigate the rest of the season without both key players as they push for a playoff spot.