Julius Randle's Awaited Return Helps Knicks in Game 1 Win vs. Cavs
Despite uncertainty regarding Julius Randle's status for Game 1 of the New York Knicks' first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he returned to the lineup on Saturday to make a noticeable impact.
Randle had been sidelined since March 29 after spraining his ankle in a win over Miami. He stepped back into game action with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists while playing heavy minutes in a grinding 101-97 victory.
"Every day I got like significantly better," Randle said of his ankle injury, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. "So I felt by the time Saturday got here I would be fine."
The Knicks were confident that Randle would manage to give them everything he possibly could in terms of effort after missing some time due to injury. For someone who played in 77 games this season, he takes pride in his availability.
"Dependability is a big part of the league," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "To be able to count on each other is important so we don't want anyone out there who's injured. We don't want to put anyone in harm's way, but if you can give us something, give us what you have and that's what I'm proud of Julius for. He gave us what he had."
Randle remained confident in working through the natural fatigue that comes from playing again after being out of the lineup due to being able to take solace in the fact that he has a talented group around him. Whether it was Jalen Brunson or Josh Hart, his teammates stepped up.
"I was tired as hell, for sure," Randle said. "But that's why we have such a great team. Able to lean on the guys, (Brunson), Josh (Hart), everybody, able to be able to pick each other up, so I just go out there, do my best, and let the cards fall where they may. Just trust the guys and that was a great team win."
Brunson, who scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, certainly took notice of Randle's impact referring to him as a vital prescience. Randle's willingness to do the dirty work in the details of the game was appreciated by Brunson, particularly a key offensive rebound with 6.2 seconds left to help seal the Knicks' victory.
"He's a presence," Brunson said. "It may not be shooting. ... Obviously, he can do all that, but the offensive rebound was huge, and the little things that he has committed himself to do have been fantastic. It helps us. Some of the things that he does, it may not go in the stat sheet, but it's big time."
With the Knicks not returning to action until Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/TNT), Randle has two full days to manage his ankle recovery before taking on the Cavs again.
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