Hard blow for the Knicks. New Yorkers will be without Julius Randle, who sprained his left ankle in Wednesday’s win against the Miami Heat, for at least two weeks.
Such an ailment leaves him out of the rest of the regular season, something that is not too worrying because they are very close to certifying their direct qualification for the playoffs. However, the fact that there are just over two weeks left before the start of the postseason has set off the alarms, since the team is not talking about two weeks of casualties, but that it will be then when they reassess their physical condition. .
As we said, those from the Big Apple are about to certify their second qualification for the playoffs in three years. The latest results have meant that with five games to go they have a two and a half advantage over the Brooklyn Nets, and up to four with the Miami Heat. Only an almost unimaginable debacle would leave them in positions of play-in.
As for Randle, his importance in Tom Thibodeau’s scheme is structural. There are 25.1 points, 10 rebounds and 4.1 assists that a couple of months ago led him to be an All-Star. Plus, he’s one of four players, along with Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, to average at least 25 and 10 this season.
Obviously he is not ruled out to start the playoffs yet and it is certain that he will grit his teeth to get there, but in the same way, starting the postseason after two weeks of inactivity due to a physical problem is far from ideal.
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
