The fact that the New York Knicks are 43-28, fourth in the East, is nothing less than a byproduct of their strength of character.
Met with significant misfortune, the Knicks took the court without several key players for half the season. At this point, consider this All-Star forward Julius Randle has only played 46 games this season. 25 year old rim protector Mitchell Robinson missed 50 consecutive games after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his ankle. Robinson is second in Knicks history in career blocks (594).
The Knicks provided several injury updates on Monday, with the most notable news being Robinson’s expected return.
Knicks trio receives major injury updates ahead of playoffs
“Among the three big injured Knicks players, [Robinson]as expected, is the closest to a return,” according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Bondy adds that Robinson “was a full participant in practice last week,” “is moving pretty well” and “just needs a little more time.”
Randle, out since late January with a dislocated shoulder, “feels good but has not yet been cleared for contact,” according to SportsNet New York’s Ian Begley.
Julius Randle is feeling good but has not yet been cleared for full contact, Tom Thibodeau said. Randle made controlled contact but did not make direct contact. Randle has been at this stage of rehabilitation for a few weeks. Thibodeau says Randle hasn’t had any setbacks.
– Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 25, 2024
“Randle made controlled contact but did not make direct contact,” adds Begley. However, even though the 29-year-old “has been in this rehabilitation phase for a few weeks”, he “has not experienced any setbacks”.
March 12, wing 3-and-D OG Anunoby returned to the lineup after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on February 8 to remove a loose bone fragment from his elbow. After three matches, Anunoby suffered a setback due to elbow soreness. Notably, even though he just returned from injury, he averaged 32.5 minutes and 10.0 field goal attempts per game. in these three competitions.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said, “he’s doing a little more (work on the court)… he basically has to let [the elbow irritation] calm down.”
Tom Thibodeau says OG Anunoby ‘does a little more’ and did some shooting today pic.twitter.com/vLxQSkEwwY
– Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) March 25, 2024
“But he experienced things [at Monday morning’s shootaround]», Confirms Thibodeau.
Timeline and priorities
Without Robinson, Randle or Anunoby, the Knicks are 11-11 this season.
Although they have put in some exhilarating performances during this period, they are a middling team without the trio. That said, it is imperative that they return as soon as possible. Still, having them healthy for the playoffs is more important than having them for the final 11 games of the regular season.
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