Knicks’ Julius Randle Out at Least 2-3 Weeks with Dislocated Shoulder Injury

The New York Knicks announced Thursday that forward Julius Randle will be re-evaluated in two-to-three weeks after suffering a dislocated right shoulder.

The 29-year-old Randle, a two-time All-NBA player, has averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game for a 31-17 Knicks team sitting third in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately, Randle has been out ever since suffering the injury, which occurred during a 125-109 win over the Miami Heat last Saturday.

With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Randle drove for a layup but fell hard to the floor after a blocking foul from Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Precious Achiuwa has replaced Randle in the starting lineup over the past two games.

The Knicks have fared well without Randle so far, albeit in a two-game sample size and against inferior opponents. New York took down the 10-36 Charlotte Hornets 113-92 before beating the 24-25 Utah Jazz 118-103.

Achiuwa, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in a five-player deal that notably brought OG Anunoby to New York, has averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 36.5 minutes over his two starts in those games.

Ultimately, the Knicks need a healthy Randle to compete for a championship, something the team hasn’t achieved since 1973.

Rolling on an eight-game win streak, the Knicks are establishing themselves as serious title contenders, especially after the Anunoby deal. New York has gone 14-2 since then.

Thankfully, the Randle injury doesn’t appear to be a long-term one. A re-evaluation in two-to-three weeks would occur around the All-Star break, which for the Knicks will last from Feb 15-21.

Randle will assuredly miss his team’s next seven games before then, but the reported timeline provides hope he could potentially return Feb. 22 at the Philadelphia 76ers or soon afterward.