Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau: Julius Randle Making Good Progress Ahead of Series vs. Cavs

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters that power forward Julius Randle is making “good, steady progress,” but it’s still not clear if he will be ready for the start of the first-round playoff series vs. the Cavaliers.

Game 1 is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. EST in Cleveland.

Randle, who suffered a sprained ankle on March 29, did some running and shooting at practice, Thibodeau said, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post. Randle has not taken part in the contact portion of practice yet, however.

Either way, one league source told Hoops Wire that Randle is targeting a return for Game 1. But for now, his status appears to be very much in limbo, the source added.

Randle, 28, is averaging a career-high 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, shooting 46 percent from the field, entering the playoffs. He played and started in each of the Knicks’ first 77 games, before suffering the ankle sprain and missing the final five.

New York is in the playoffs for the second time in three years, this time as the No. 5 overall seed in the Eastern Conference.

Tom Thibodeau says Julius Randle (sprained ankle) is doing some running and making “good, steady progress.” But still not doing any contact with Game 1 at Cleveland on Saturday.

— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) April 11, 2023