Knicks’ Julius Randle Gives Shoulder Injury Update, Says He’s ‘Healing Up Great’

Andrew PetersMay 28, 2024

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New York Knicks star Julius Randle was sidelined for the playoffs while recovering from shoulder surgery, but the power forward said his recovery process is going well.

“I spent two and a half months rehabbing before, so when I came out of shoulder surgery I was recovering pretty fast; all my muscles around my shoulder are strong,” Randle said on NBA Unplugged (h/t New York Basketball). “So I’ve been healing up great. Been taking my time. Not in a rush. But I like where I’m at for sure.”

Randle missed two months of the season while rehabbing from a dislocated shoulder and attempted to make a return to the court in the late stages of the season, but had to undergo surgery, ending his season and his hopes of a return for the playoffs.

Though he was limited to just 46 games, Randle continued his ascension to stardom, averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists per game. Since joining the Knicks in 2019, Randle has posted the best numbers of his career and has been named an All-Star three times, including this year.

New York struggled with injuries throughout the playoffs, but being without Randle was arguably the biggest loss of all. Had Randle been on the court in the postseason, it’s fair to assume the Knicks could have been NBA Finals contenders.

But with New York’s season coming to an end in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, the team can now look forward to having Randle on the court as it looks to make a deeper playoff run next season.

With star point guard Jalen Brunson playing at an All-Star level and Randle returning from injury, the Knicks could be a team to watch to come out of the East next season.