New York is where Randall needs to go higher.
The New York Knicks beat the Sacramento Kings 120-109 in the 2023-2024 NBA regular season at Madison Square Garden in New York on the 5th (Korea time). They managed to escape from losing consecutive games with their victory today.
Despite his victory, New York couldn’t help but smile. It was because “King of New York” Julius Randle (203 cm·F) was ruled out for the season.
Randall joined New York ahead of the 2019-2020 season. In his second year of the 2020-2021 season, he averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6 assists, establishing himself as the king of New York. At the time, Randall even received an award for technology development. Thanks to Randall’s growth, New York became a strong team.
There were difficult times. Randall did not have a clear performance in the 2021-2022 season, and New York also came in below expectations. However, New York quickly recovered and led the team with newcomer Jaylen Brunson (185 cm, G).
Randle showed off his health again this season. He averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists. But injuries caught up with him. Randle has not played a single game since Jan. 27.
Tim Thibodeau, the team’s head coach, expressed his disappointment at the situation. Thibodeau told the New York Post, “Randle will not be able to return during the regular season. His injury is very regrettable. But his shoulder is a sensitive area. He needs enough rest.”
After that, he added, “We need Randall to come back healthy. Our goal is the playoffs. It’s still good. But if Randall joins, we can get to a high position.”
In addition to Randall, New York also had OG Anunobi (203 cm, F) sidelined due to injury. This season, New York has been struggling with minor injuries to its players.
Thibodeau said, “This season hasn’t been easy. Players missed too often. But Josh Hart took his place. Ausia played well, too. We’ve come all this way thanks to other players playing their roles. He also expressed his expectations, saying, “If the injured come back, we’ll be really strong.”
New York is in fifth place in the East with a 45-31 record. The season is just around the corner, but the East standings are in chaos. The gap between the fifth-place New York and the second-place Milwaukee Bucks is just two games. Conversely, the gap between New York and the sixth-place Indiana Pacers is 2.5 games. New York still has hope for upward mobility. Attention is focusing on whether New York can rise higher despite Randall’s absence.