Knicks’ Julius Randle Re-Injured Dislocated Shoulder 5 Weeks Ago In Contact Session

New York Knicks star Julius Randle told NBA reporter Chris Haynes that he re-injured his dislocated right shoulder five weeks ago in a contact session. 

Randle was never able to get his shoulder back to 100%, which is why he will undergo season-ending surgery. 

"About five weeks ago, he went through a full contact session and re-injured the shoulder." @ChrisBHaynes shares an update from Julius Randle on his decision to undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery. pic.twitter.com/XzoQxjbmld

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 4, 2024

Randle dislocated his right shoulder on January 27 against the Miami Heat. He will finish this season with averages of 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the floor, 31.1% from beyond the arc and 78.1% from the free-throw line.

He recorded 18 double-doubles and one triple-double. 

According to NBA insider Ian Begley of SNY, Randle is “devastated” that his 2023-24 season is over. 

“Randle wanted badly to return this season, but continued instability in his shoulder prevented him from coming back, per SNY sources,” Begley wrote. “Randle was told by specialists that he wouldn’t be able to get his shoulder in a place where he could play, necessitating the surgery, those sources say.

“Randle is said to be devastated that he can’t return, particularly because he felt the Knicks had a real chance to contend following the OG Anunoby trade, per people familiar with the matter.”

Randle signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2019 after playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2018-19. He’s averaging 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks in a New York uniform.

The Knicks signed Randle to a four-year, $117 million extension in August 2021. Randle, who won the 2020-21 Most Improved Player of the Year Award, is making $25.7 million this season. He will make $27.6 million in 2024-25. 

Randle has career averages of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers, Pelicans and Knicks. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Lakers out of Kentucky. 

The Knicks are 44-31 on the season. They are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

If the regular season ended today, New York would face the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

The Knicks will not compete for this year’s championship with Randle out. The big man is one of the best scorers and rebounders in the NBA.