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Tim Bontemps, ESPN
NEW YORK – The New York Knicks announced Thursday that forward Julius Randle would be re-evaluated in two to three weeks for the dislocated right shoulder he suffered in Saturday’s win over the Miami Heat.
“The rehab has already started,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said before Thursday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers here at Madison Square Garden. “So let him make his way through this.
“Encouraged, optimistic, (we’ll see) how it plays out.”
That timeline means Randle, who left the game late in the fourth quarter after injuring his shoulder when Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. took over, will be re-evaluated at the start of the All-Star break (the last pre- Knicks offseason). The game is Feb. 14 in Orlando against the Magic, or at the start of New York’s post-break schedule, which begins in Philadelphia on Feb. 22.
However, when asked if surgery had been ruled out, Thibodeau said he wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know the details. I know the rehab has started and I feel sorry for the (physiotherapists),” Thibodeau said with a smile. “You know the way Julius works. He’s upbeat and feeling better. So take it day by day and hopefully everything will work out.”
Randle, who is averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists, could be selected to his third All-Star Game later Thursday, when reserves for the Eastern and Western Conference teams are announced.
If Randle is selected, along with teammate Jalen Brunson, who should make his first All-Star Game appearance after narrowly missing out on a start against Damian Lillard last week, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will select its replacement.
“I’m hoping Julius makes it too,” Thibodeau said, when asked about the chances of both players being named to the All-Star team. “Those things are also a byproduct of the team winning. Obviously they have to play well, but I know from my side when I’m voting and it’s one of the worst feelings ever: There are a lot of guys who are having a great time.” seasons that deserve it and then it all comes down to the team’s victory. And I think that goes in our favor and has to do with the impact they have on winning.”
The Knicks were also without OG Anunoby and Quentin Grimes on Thursday night, as Anunoby missed his third straight game with elbow inflammation while Grimes sat out with a sprained knee. Thibodeau said both players are day-to-day.
New York enters Thursday night’s home game against the Pacers having had the best month the franchise has had in 30 years, going 14-2 in January to rocket up the Eastern Conference standings and into one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for second place in the standings. conference.
As a result, Thibodeau was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for January earlier Thursday.
“I think all the individual things are really a byproduct of everyone working together and winning,” Thibodeau said. “When that happens, any individual aspect (the organization, the front office, all the coaches) certainly can’t be done without great players and we have great players who are working well together.”