The New York Knicks faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in a Game 5 matchup where they looked to close out the series. Through one half of play, they are on course to do so, but a concerning injury to star forward Julius Randle caught the attention of the NBA world.
Randle has been a massive piece for the Knicks this season, leading the team in scoring in the regular season with 25.1 points per game.
He started Wednesday’s game strong as well, but an ankle injury in the game hampered him in a big way.
The injury occurred in the second half when Randle was defending Cavaliers forward Caris Levert. He went up to contest a Levert jump shot, but landed awkwardly and instantly grabbed at his ankle on the ground.
Julius Randle goes down with an apparent ankle injury pic.twitter.com/kAUkIPnlPo
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 27, 2023
Randle would head to the locker room after a Knicks timeout and not return for the rest of the quarter. Luckily for Knicks fans, they took a ten-point lead into the half.
17 first-half points for Jalen Brunson 😤
Knicks lead by 10 at the break on NBA TV.#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/GVwIFJQ4YF
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2023
Randle unfortunately did not start the second half for the Knicks, and his status for the game has officially been listed as doubtful with a sprained left ankle.
Knicks say Julius Randle (sprained left ankle) is doubtful to return.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 27, 2023
Many around the NBA world took to social media to offer their concern for Randle as Game 5 plays out in this series.
I’m sad I need to see Julius Randle on the court again. He was playing AMAZING like an All NBA player like I knew he would bounce back. I’m with you 30 all the way stay strong. #NewYorkForever https://t.co/yDM9tPCcjF
— Playoff P Basketball (@playoffpbball) April 27, 2023
Obviously not good to see Julius Randle go down with an injury… But the Knicks have to focus and try and secure this Series win now, give Randle time to rest before the Conference Semi Final Series begins
— Dav Aulak (@DavAulak) April 27, 2023
Don’t let this rattle you.
Go out there and win this for our All-Star BULLY Julius Randle #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/J5QZlVQhTt
— Lo (@lominatti) April 27, 2023
No Julius Randle to start the second half. It's Obi Toppin in his spot.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) April 27, 2023
He was playing soooo good too💔 #NewYorkForever https://t.co/HNgyC8Fdxv
— ❗️DANNY❗️(47-35) (@danvelasco__) April 27, 2023
This injury is obviously very concerning for the Knicks as they look to close out this series against the Cavaliers. It is even more crucial that Randle is available for their potential second-round matchup against either the Miami Heat or the Milwaukee Bucks.
Ankle injuries are unfortunately something that has certainly plagued Randle already this season. He notably missed two weeks before the start of this series with a left ankle sprain.
Julius Randle is down & seems to be grabbing his left ankle. Randle missed 2 weeks at the end of the season due to a left ankle sprain & returned for G1 of NYK-CLE. After a few minutes on the floor, Randle got up, walked off the floor with a slight limp & went to locker room
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 27, 2023