If you are a fan of the New York Knicks, you have been treated to quite the 2024 so far. OG Anunoby has fit like a glove in the Big Apple and given this Knicks squad new life. New York is 14-2 in the new year, and it’s not just bottom-tier teams they have bested. In that same stretch, they have beaten the brakes off the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat. To say this team was firing on all cylinders isn’t an overstatement. They are third in the Eastern Conference, mainly due to their defensive performance, which is also near the league’s top. However, Knicks fans received some earth-shattering news last week. Miami visited Madison Square Garden on Jan. 27, and with that, the Knicks won in convincing fashion, 125-109. That win was not the biggest headline, though. With about four and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, Julius Randle drove to the basket, drawing contact from multiple defenders. He landed on his right side and grabbed his right shoulder in discomfort. The pain was so unbearable that the 6-foot-8 forward immediately left for the locker room.
This was a devastating loss for New York, and of course, the question is what comes next if Randle misses extended time?
As of the time of writing this, we do not have an exact timetable for when the Kentucky alum will return, although the initial signs are encouraging. Randle suffered a dislocated shoulder, and while that in and of itself is bad, it could have been far worse. Reports from ESPN suggest that the Knicks are optimistic that Randle can return “in weeks and not months.” Another hopeful sign was Randle’s MRI, which showed no significant damage. In this article, we will review the worst and best-case scenarios for New York and how the team should adjust.
If Randle is out for the year, this would be devastating for the red-hot Knicks. The 6-foot-8 forward is in the middle of an all-star caliber year, averaging 24 points per game on 47% from the field, not to mention grabbing over nine boards per game. Accounting for over 20 points a night is no small feat, and the road to an NBA Championship gets much harder without Randle’s production. However, the team has played well since the 29-year-old went down. While a small sample size, the team has won two straight since Jan. 27, and it hasn’t been close, with both games decided by 15 points or more.
In particular, Donte DiVincenzo has stepped up his offensive production, scoring 33 points in his team’s 118-103 win over the Jazz. Likewise, the night before, he put up another 28 points. This is all the more meaningful when you consider what the 26-year-old has done up to this point:. DiVincenzo has averaged 12 points per game. While that number won’t blow anyone away, his efficiency, shooting 46% from the field, is commendable. The Villanova product has now moved into the role of a top scorer, and New York needs him to be a 20-points-a-night guy for the duration of Randle’s injury. As good as Jalen Brunson is, relying on him to score 40 points a night is not sustainable. If DiVincenzo can become more of a scorer for New York in Randle’s absence, the season might not be lost.
Of course, what happens if his injury is a minor hiccup in an otherwise perfect season? Knicks nation can exhale if Randle is out for only a few weeks. From now until Feb. 10, New York plays five home games,. and their next two opponents on the road are below .500 teams. Directly after that is the week-long hiatus that is All-Star -Weekend. I am saying this because there shouldn’t be a sense of urgency to try and play the 29-year-old, especially considering where the Knicks are at.
There is no rush to get Randle back into action, and there shouldn’t be. The last thing New York wants to do is re-aggravate anything. No matter the diagnosis, Randle shouldn’t even consider suiting up until after the all-star break. This also gives head coach Tom Thibodeau a chance to experiment with the lineup against lesser opponents. Can Precious Achiuwa handle an uptick of minutes? If need be, does Anunoby have the ability to be an effective four? These crucial questions will address this Knicks squad’s depths.
And again, if this is a minor setback, how will Randle bounce back? The goal is for him to come back as soon as possible and get back into the recent hot stretch he was in, and that is more than likely. Anunoby has revolutionized this Knicks squad. They are much more fluid on offense, their defense has improved tenfold and they space the floor much better. This recent acquisition will also benefit Randle’s recovery because he can play his own brand of basketball and not be relied on to force up poor shots. Before, Randle had horrid nights, playing too much like a guard. With this added wing depth, he can develop at his own pace and play his brand of basketball.
Knicks fans will be holding their breath for the next couple of days. The early signs indicate this is a short-term injury, although the team has not officially said anything about his timetable. New York needs Randle. The value he adds to this squad is monumental. His improvement in this new system of offense with Anunoby is real. However, the season isn’t lost, no matter what the team says. Randle contributes much to this Knicks squad, but so do Brunson, Anunoby and DiVincenzo. Unfortunately, all we can do is sit and wait to hear the news and pray for the best.