All That Jazz! Knicks' Randle Named to NBA All-Star Game
Julius Randle has earned an All-Star reprise as the NBA's annual exhibition prepares to visit the home of the Utah Jazz.
The New York Knicks' veteran was among the Eastern Conference representatives chosen to appear in the 2023 contest, joining a seven-man pool on its way to Salt Lake City. Reserves were unveiled during TNT's pregame coverage of a nationally televised contest between the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.
This will be Randle's second time repping the Knicks at the All-Star Game, having previously earned admission to the 2021 contest in Atlanta en route to guiding New York to its first playoff berth in eight years. While last season was a disappointing follow-up, Randle has made up for lost time and then some: he's averaging a double-double at 24.7 points and 10.9 rebounds a game, notably opening the calendar year with nine consecutive games with at least 10 each (part of a 12-game streak overall and 18 in 19 with the tally dating back to December).
The new honor comes as the Knicks (27-25) seek to return to the postseason, one that sees them sit two games behind the Miami Heat for the sixth and final automatic postseason seed. Miami, armed with Randle's fellow All-Star reserve Bam Adebayo, is visiting Madison Square Garden on Thursday for the first of four meetings over the final two months of the regular season.
Joining Randle and Adebayo amongst the Eastern stars will be Jaylen Brown (Boston), DeMar DeRozan (Chicago), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana), and Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee). That group will be among those eligible for selection by team captains Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, who will choose their squads in a fantasy-style draft.
In a break from tradition, the Antetokonmpo and James will choose their teams shortly before tip-off on Feb. 19. Randle will be joined in Salt Lake City by teammate Quentin Grimes, who will rep the Knicks at the Rising Stars Challenge headlined by top pick Paolo Banchero of Orlando.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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