The New York Knicks entered the 2024 post-season as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but their championship aspirations have been dealt a significant blow with the season-ending shoulder injury to star forward Julius Randle.
Randle’s absence has been a major setback for the Knicks, who have relied heavily on his contributions on both ends of the court. In the 46 games he played this season, Randle averaged 24.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. He was also a key part of the Knicks’ top-ranked defense, which allowed just 112.4 points per 100 possessions.
With Randle out, the Knicks have struggled to maintain their defensive efficiency, allowing 113.3 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs, which ranks 11th among the 16 playoff teams. They have also been outrebounded by an average of 5.5 rebounds per game, which has led to more second-chance opportunities for their opponents.
Despite their defensive struggles, the Knicks have managed to win the first two games of their playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, they will face a much tougher test in Game 3 in Philadelphia, where the Sixers will be looking to cut the deficit. If the Knicks can manage to win Game 3, they will take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series and put themselves in a great position to advance to the second round.
However, if the Sixers can win Game 3, the series could be in danger of slipping away from the Knicks. The longer the series goes on, the more the Knicks’ injury woes could come back to haunt them, as they will be forced to rely on their role players to step up in Randle’s absence.
Ultimately, the Knicks’ playoff hopes will hinge on their ability to overcome their injuries and find a way to replace Randle’s production. If they can do that, they have the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs. But if they can’t, their season could end sooner than they would like.
