Knicks: Jalen Brunson’s immediate response following Julius Randle’s alarming injury.
The New York Knicks secured a 125-109 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday, but experienced a setback as forward Julius Randle sustained a dislocated shoulder during the game.
Reacting to Randle’s injury, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson described the moment as “an oh shit,” as reported by Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
With four and a half minutes remaining in the game, the Knicks were leading 115-95 when Randle collided with a defender while driving towards the basket, resulting in a hard fall that forced him to exit the court holding his shoulder.
The Knicks’ triumph extended their winning streak to six games, elevating their season record to 29-17 and securing fourth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings, which would grant them home court advantage in the playoffs if they began today.
Before exiting the game, Randle contributed 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, maintaining his season averages of 24.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, making him the Knicks’ second-leading scorer behind Jalen Brunson.
Losing Randle for an extended period would be a blow to New York, but the team’s depth, highlighted by OG Anunoby’s emergence as a reliable two-way wing, offers hope for Knicks fans. Anunoby notched 19 points and two steals against Miami, shooting 40% from three-point range.
In the victory, Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. The focus now shifts to Randle’s recovery and the potential duration of his absence, as Knicks fans anxiously await updates on his condition.