Julius Randle Injury Update: Knicks Star Listed As Questionable For Game 1 vs. Cavaliers

We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see if Julius Randle is right for the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their first round match against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at 6pm ET. The All-Star forward is officially listed as questionable in New York’s latest injury report. Randle reportedly plans to test his left ankle ahead of Saturday’s game before making a decision on his status. according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Randle sprained his ankle on March 29 against the Miami Heat. He landed on Bam Adebayo’s foot on a rebound and left the game in the second quarter. Here’s how the injury happened:

Obviously, not having Randle for Game 1 or any part of this series would be a huge blow to the Knicks. He has been one of the most durable players in the league this season, averaging a career-high 25.1 points on 58.1% fair shooting this season, in addition to 10 rebounds and 4.1 assists. It’s important not to have his production on offense, and the same goes for missing him on defense. With the Cavaliers employing two giants in the frontcourt in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, it’s a loss not to have Randle contend with that size.

There is also the risk that Randle will try to come back from the ankle sprain too early and exacerbate the injury or be very limited on the floor. But if Randle ultimately decides he can’t play, the Knicks have options they can call on. Obi Toppin started in Randle’s last five regular season games with the All-Star forward offside, and he makes sure you don’t lose much weight in the frontcourt. Tom Thibodeau could also decide to go in a different direction and fight the size of Cleveland by going small and putting Josh Hart there, who has been a great addition to the roster since taking over at trade deadline.

Whatever the decision, it’s undoubtedly a tough place to be part of a team that, if healthy, could very well take on the Cavaliers.