The Knicks classified Julius Randle as a game-time decision on Saturday, but the star forward suited up and showed no ill effects of the ankle sprain that had sidelined him since March 29. Randle’s availability didn’t come as a surprise to him, since he believed that he was making good progress with the ankle in the days leading up to the playoffs.
“Every day I got like significantly better,” Randle said, per Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. “So I felt by the time Saturday got here I would be fine.”
Randle didn’t just make a cameo appearance. He started for the Knicks and logged almost 34 minutes, racking up 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in New York’s 101-97 Game 1 win over Cleveland, prompting head coach Tom Thibodeau to express appreciation after the game for the 28-year-old’s effort.
“Dependability is a big part of the league,” Thibodeau said. “And to be able to count on each other is important so we don’t want anyone out there who’s injured. We don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way, but if you can give us something, give us what you have and that’s what I’m proud of Julius for. He gave us what he had.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Acquired from Portland prior to the 2023 trade deadline, six-year veteran Josh Hart got the chance on Saturday to play in his first career playoff game. He looked right at home in the high-pressure environment, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, as Zach Braziller of The New York Post details. “Unreal, that’s what he does,” teammate Jalen Brunson said. “I said it after the game: It doesn’t matter if it’s pickup, preseason, playoffs, he plays that way every single time. That’s just how he is, that’s how he’s wired. He’s big time.” The Cavaliers were one of the teams said to have interest in Hart in early February.
- Veteran point guard Derrick Rose has only placed once for the Knicks since the calendar flipped to 2023, but Quentin Grimes referred to the former MVP as a “key factor” in the locker room for the team entering the postseason, according to Peter Botte of The New York Post. “He’s been great. I feel like the past week and a half or so, he’s been a little more vocal,” Grimes said on Thursday. “I think he kind of feels the excitement coming back, the playoffs coming around.”
- As good as the Knicks have been this season, they’re still one star player away from being a legitimate championship threat, argues Mike Lupica of The New York Daily News.
Jeeze, Mike Lupica. Read the room. Knicks are in the playoffs right now — maybe save that article for the draft/FA. What a downer.
I thought Lupica had retired by now.
Donavan Mitchell needs to chill. Guy took almost half his team’s shots yesterday. I know he wants to win, but he has to use his teammates. I didn’t even know Caris LeVert was on the court for most of the game. Trae Young had the same exact problem against Boston. Use your teammates!! They’re both are about 6′ 1″ and think that they’re going to lead their teams to a championship by themselves.
Donovan Mitchell was the only thing working on offense for Cleveland down the stretch. He doesn’t need to chill, his teammates need to step up.
I would rather have Spida shoot 40 than LeVert shoot 20….
Mitchell got his teammates involved, he had 8 assists.
I was wrong about Brunson. I mean I always like his game, his a dog. But I didn’t think he could level up. He did. Now if Barrett can do the same, Knicks could go deep
Hey kurtis what happened to our bet you got real quiet
Both top defensive teams. So you would expect a tough matchup. DM is clearly the best player. But Knicks held everyone else in check. Knicks shot 42% and Cavs 43.4% for gm.
Knicks showed why they are good. This is a deep team. And they play together on both ends. Randle coming back was huge for us. He never backed down.
You want a stat on a tough team pulling out a gm. You make stops and play to the end.
Knicks had 51 rebs, Cavs 38
Knicks shot 19-22 for 86.4% FT line
Cavs shot 15-21 for 71.4% FT line
That’s how you compete and tough it out.
The benches ……..,
Knicks – 37 pts, 22 rebs, 5 ast
Cavs – 14 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
I know there are just nincompoop haters here all yr. You have shown us all your hater intellect. Basically most of you don’t even care about balling ……. so learn and swallow
Knicks is how you build a team. This is Thibs third yr. Patience is a hard thing in NYK land. I’m just glad Dolan stayed out of it. And let the basketball minds handle it. We are still in a rebuild, F$?& Lupica
It’s Been THREE years. “In Thibs we Trust”
Knicks need to retain Hart. Love his energy, willingness to scrap for lose balls and rebounds, and guard the toughest players on the court.
As for Lupica, I understand where he’s coming from. I agree with the assessment, but want to see how far the current team can take this. The bench is a serious difference maker and the kids are playing with confidence. It’s a fun group to watch and their unselfish approach and understanding of their role has worked out really well.
You don’t build a contender in a yr. It takes yrs.
And in NY the critics, the media. Even the obnoxious fans. Don’t know how to wait yrs. Not only yrs but you have to get it right.
Today, with the wisdom of 2k nation on team building so readily available, I’m not sure the opinions of guys like Lupica are as valuable as they might otherwise be. But I guess having access to both is just an embarrassment of riches one needs to learn to enjoy.
Knicks signed Randle when KP left. Nobody else wanted to offer him a contract. In
2019-20 (25yrs old) he signed for 3yr
63 million. Thibs came in 2020-21. And helped make Randle an all-star. Randle signed an extension for 4yrs 113 million.
And they called him overpaid. You know why Thibs backs Randle. Cause he’s like Jimmy to him. He has to work to be good. He stays in great shape. A lot like Jimmy that way. He’s still a drama queen to me. I pray he grows up and toughens up emotionally.
Randle now 28yrs old. Plays wit RJ (22), Mitch (25), Jalen (26), Grimes (22), Obi1 (25), Quickley (23), McBride (22), and FA signings Hartenstein (24), Hart (28). That’s 10 deep.
And of course Thibs never plays or develops young players ………. Seriously lols
This is a young vet team now. Really first yr they are playing together. Rose and Thibs are doing their job. And it’s working nicely. Now is not the time to ask for a ring. We are 1-0 against a top young team in NBA. It’s all about the next gm if you know ball.
But what have I been saying …….
Get DeRozan to play SG . He’s not going to break the bank. And he is a bucket when you need it. Obi1, Quickley, Fournier, #1 pick.
Cavs 107 — Knicks 90 …….
Spanked. ……..
Knicks shot 36.7 % FG. Team rebs 36
Cavs shot 49.5% FG. Team rebs 43.
MSG should be fun ……