The New York Knicks are holding their breath at the worst possible time.
All-Star forward Julius Randle left Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat in the first half with an ankle injury.
The team called it a sprain. He made two free throws after the injury and tried to stay but he went down with a coach and didn’t come back.
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Julius Randle of the New York Knicks on the ground after being injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
The Knicks have lost six of their last 10, but should comfortably make the playoffs.
Their 43-33 record is good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and they are three games ahead of the play-in tournament with five to go after Wednesday night.
They’re lined up for a tough matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swooped in and took New York’s top trade target in Donovan Mitchell over the summer. Without Randle, the Knicks could be in trouble.
Julius Randle (30) of the New York Knicks walks after being injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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Randle has gotten a bad rap in recent weeks with outbursts against refs and teammates. She was an ongoing critic of him last season after he stepped back from a 2020-21 Most Improved Player campaign that saw him make his first All-Star team and help the Knicks to their first playoff berth since 2012-13.
But Randle’s 25.4 points and 10 rebounds per game and 34.4% shooting from three points led the team into Wednesday.
Julius Randleof the New York Knicks after being injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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The Knicks play the Cavs in Cleveland on Friday. Randle hasn’t missed a game all season and leads the team with 35.8 minutes per game. He has played the second most minutes in the NBA this season: 2,723 as of Wednesday.