Julius Randle hasn’t ruled out surgery yet as he continues his recovery from a dislocated shoulder suffered on Jan. 27 against the Miami Heat.
“We’ll see. I’ve heard many different things,” Randle said on Wednesday (h/t SNY). “I like how I feel today as far as getting better, feeling stronger, and progressing to where I need to be as far as getting on the court. But I’m never somebody to say never, so ultimately, I have to do what’s best for myself to have a long career.”
Both he and head coach Tom Thibodeau have been pleased with the progress the All-Star forward has been making in his recovery, but he has not been cleared for practice as of yet.
Upon the initial injury, the Knicks announced that Randle would be evaluated in three weeks — a marker that has now been passed — though hope remains that he’ll be back on the court with time to ramp up to full speed for the playoffs.
Despite a four-game losing streak heading into the All-Star break, the Knicks still hold the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
“We’re just taking it step by step, I think it’s premature to say anything until you have all the information,” Thibodeau said. “Right now he’s preparing to come back to play and he’s putting a lot into it. He looks good.”
Randle’s availability is paramount for the Knicks’ hopes of a deep postseason run. When he was in the lineup alongside OG Anunoby, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in late December and is also shelved after undergoing elbow surgery, the Knicks went 12-2 from Jan. 1-27. The 29-year-old is having yet another strong season, averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists per game.
A best-case scenario for the team is getting him back within the next two to three weeks and for longevity’s sake, having a procedure done during the offseason to ensure he is 100% by opening night next year.
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