New York Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle did not play in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers and continues to struggle to find an offensive rhythm in the series, but coach Tom Thibodeau said a major reason for Randle’s performance is that he is still playing through a left ankle injury he suffered at the end of the regular season. Randle sprained his ankle during a March 29 win over the Miami Heat but rehabbed over the next few weeks and was ready to start Game 1 of this first-round series on April 15 in Cleveland.
After a solid first half during Game 1 and some good moments in Game 2, Randle has struggled on the offensive end. He is now 21-for-65 over the first four games. Thibodeau said he appreciated how hard Randle has worked to get back on the floor and that the team needs him.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who poured in a game-high 29 points in Sunday’s win and has helped carry the Knicks to a 3-1 lead in the series, echoed Thibodeau’s sentiments, saying that Randle has been a leader since the day he came to the team and that he always wants to win. As the Knicks wait for Randle to round back into form, Brunson wants his team to focus on trying to finish off the series heading into Wednesday’s Game 5 in Cleveland.
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