Despite not playing since late January, the Knicks held out hope that Julius Randle could successfully rehabilitate his injured right shoulder and return for a playoff run. Instead, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that New York will be without Randle the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery to return for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Knicks still have an All-Star in breakout guard Jalen Brunson but haven't been the same team since losing both Randle and newcomer OG Anunoby, who suffered an elbow injury the same day as Randle. Anunoby has played just three games since undergoing surgery Feb. 8.
With New York in the middle of a crowded battle for playoff seeding -- the Knicks sit in fifth place, a half-game behind the Orlando Magic for home court in the first round -- Randle's surgery could have important implications for not only his team's own postseason run but also the chances of those nearby in the standings. Let's take a look at where New York might finish and the team's playoff potential without Randle.