NBA

Randle to be evaluated after exiting Knicks win with ankle sprain

By Sports Desk March 29, 2023

Julius Randle will undergo evaluation on Thursday after exiting the New York Knicks' 101-92 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday with a left ankle sprain.

Randle was hurt after his left leg landed on Heat center Bam Adebayo's left foot as he pulled down a rebound with 2:40 remaining in the second quarter.

The Knicks forward was helped up and initially stayed in the game but was visibly incapable of playing on and ruled out at half-time.

"It'll be evaluated tomorrow," Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "It's a sprain, that's about the extent of it. We'll see where he is tomorrow."

Thibodeau was unable to clarify the extent of the injury when asked if trainers thought it was a high ankle sprain.

Randle will be a key part of the Knicks' upcoming playoffs campaign, averaging 25.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season. The All-Star produced a career-best 57 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves last week.

The Knicks are in the five seed slot in the Eastern Conference with a 44-33 record, with the playoffs due to starton April 15.

"It's all part of it, injuries happen," Thibodeau said. "When you have a guy who's averaging 24/10/4, we're not going to replace him with one player.

"What we can do is work hard as a unit to come together and work to replace him."

Randle is a two-time All-Star, who won the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2021.

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