- ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the shoulder is dislocated
- The good news is that an x-ray showed no structural damage
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New York Knicks fans are in an uproar after All-Star power forward Julius Randle reportedly suffered a shoulder injury in a scary on-court collision during Saturday's 125-109 win over the road Miami Heat.
When asked if he was worried about the injury, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau simply replied, “Very.”
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the shoulder is dislocated, but MRI tests are being performed to determine the extent of the damage. The good news, Wojnarowski said, is that an X-ray showed no structural damage.
After scoring 19 points in the first 44 minutes of play, Randle collided with Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. as he drove to the basket late in the fourth quarter. The former Kentucky star landed hard on his right shoulder and immediately left the field after being helped to his feet.
The injury is significant for a Knicks team that has rattled off six straight wins. New York is currently in fourth place in the East and appears to be a contender since acquiring defensive talent OG Anunoby from Toronto.
Julius Randle appears to have suffered a right shoulder injury and will NOT return to the game tonight.
I wish Randle all the best 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tohr84V3hp
— Knicks Fan TV 🏀🎥📺🏁 (@KnicksFanTv) January 27, 2024
Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts after sustaining an injury against the Miami Heat
Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and eight assists in the win for New York, while Miami suffered its sixth straight loss.
Brunson helped the Knicks finally break through with a 13-3 shot early in the fourth quarter, then sent the Heat into a timeout as a sellout crowd cheered when his three-pointer made it 112-96 midway through the quarter.
Anunoby also had 19 points for the Knicks, who improved to 12-2 this month after making their first start on New Year's Day.
Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for the Heat, who got Jaquez back after a six-game absence with a groin injury but were down 36-23 in the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson had 19 points and Tyler Herro finished with 18.
Kevin Love was also back from illness and was finally able to give the Heat their full roster of players. Coach Erik Spoelstra said it was just as important for the Heat to get back to their usual competitive form. They certainly fell short of their standard on Thursday as they fell 143-110 at home to Boston.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Julius Randle dislocated his shoulder in the fall
The Heat looked a lot more like themselves, but after Butler led them back from a 13-point deficit to a tie late in the third quarter, the game quickly came to an end while he sat on the bench resting to start the fourth quarter.
Brunson scored two baskets in New York's upset to open the fourth, shooting 12 for 22 from the field, including four 3-pointers.
The Knicks led 82-69 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, but Butler scored nine points and Robinson made two 3-pointers in a 17-4 spurt that reached 86 with 13 seconds left . Randle made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Knicks the lead again heading into the fourth.
Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein returned after missing two games with a left Achilles tendon injury and posted four points and six rebounds.
Knicks All-Star Julius Randle suffered a “shoulder dislocation” in a scary fall in win over Heat, while New York coach Tom Thibodeau says he is “very” concerned about the forward's injury