Julius Randle will undergo right shoulder surgery, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season. This setback deals a heavy blow to the New York Knicks, who are gearing up for a playoff run.

The team stated that Randle’s condition will be re-evaluated in five months, leaving his availability for the start of the next season uncertain. In Randle’s absence, the Knicks had a strong run in January. However, injuries to key players like OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, in addition to Randle have dropped them to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Randle sustained his shoulder injury during a game against the Miami Heat, and despite efforts to avoid surgery through rehabilitation, he hasn’t received clearance to resume full practice.

Coach Tom Thibodeau remains hopeful for Randle’s recovery but acknowledges the postseason is out of reach for him.

“You have to have a belief that it will turn, which I do,” Thibodeau said Tuesday, before the Knicks lost in Miami. “Maybe it’s tomorrow, maybe it’s the day after, who knows when it is, but just keep putting everything you have into each day. So, work out, do your rehab, try to strengthen your shoulder as much as you can and go from there.

Randle’s stats for the season were impressive, earning him his third All-Star selection just days before his injury.

This isn’t Randle’s first encounter with injury; he previously sprained his ankle in the 2022-23 regular season but returned for the playoffs. However, his current shoulder injury will keep him sidelined, and Anunoby’s return timeline is also uncertain following elbow surgery.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo courtesy of Getty Images