BREAKING: New York Knicks Receive Worst Possible News On Julius Randle

The New York Knicks playoff hopes may have just gotten the death knell. The team has confirmed that star forward Julius Randle will undergo season-ending surgery.  

BREAKING: After two months of rehabilitation to attempt a return to the New York Knicks, All-NBA forward Julius Randle will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Yc6FJAPgp7

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 4, 2024

Randle has rehabbed for two months trying to come back from his shoulder injury, but now it was all for naught, as his season is done. The Knicks say he'll be re-evaluated after five months. The idea of trying to play through the injury was decried by doctors, who warned that there was too much instability in his shoulder to allow him to play again this season without risking permanent damage.

The three time All-Star last played on January 27, and at the time through 46 games, averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

Randle’s loss has already been devastating for the Knicks, who were 29-17, in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference at the time he went down. They are 15-14 in his absence and their distance from the first-place Boston Celtics has gone from a six-game difference to 16 games.

The Knicks have also been without their star defensive forward OG Anunoby, and his return to lineup from elbow inflammation is still uncertain.

Per Ian Begley, Randle is said to be devastated about not being able return, particularly because he knows how well they were playing after the Anunoby trade, per sources familiar with the matter.

Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports