Knicks’ Julius Randle To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, New York Knicks star Julius Randle will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. 

Randle dislocated his right shoulder on January 27 against the Miami Heat.

One of the best players in the NBA, Randle averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 47.2% from the field, 31.1% from beyond the arc and 78.1% from the free-throw line. He had 18 double-doubles and one triple-double. 

“Doctors warned him recently that continued instability in the shoulder made it unsafe for him to play again this season, sources told ESPN,” Woj wrote. “He had done everything possible to avoid surgery and return for the playoffs, but the procedure became an increasing inevitability after recent visits to two specialists who warned of further injury and possible permanent damage to the shoulder if he returned to play before a surgical procedure, sources said.

“Randle’s surgery is expected to allow for a full recovery and return around the start of the 2024-25 season, sources said. Undergoing the surgery soon gives him the recovery time necessary to target that timeline.”

Randle joined the Knicks in the summer of 2019. 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 Kentucky product won the 2020-21 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.

The Knicks signed Randle to a four-year, $117 million extension in August 2021. The veteran is making $25.7 million this season and 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, New Orleans Pelicans and Knicks. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. 

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.