New York Knicks' Julius Randle Gets Back on Track vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The New York Knicks spoiled James Harden's debut with his new team as they beat the Los Angeles Clippers in commanding fashion, scoring 69 points in the second half en route to a 111-97 final.
The most notable performance of the game was from Knicks forward Julius Randle: Monday marked the two-time All-Star's finest performance of the season, scoring a game-high 27 points on a respectable 9-of-21 showing from the field.
Randle knew that his critics were paying close attention to his performance and said after the game that he would "let (them) evaluate," per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. Head coach Tom Thibodeau was happy to do so in his own postgame comments.
"He just got some easy ones," Thibodeau said. "Once that happened, he saw the ball go in and found a rhythm. I’m not worried about him scoring the ball. We know how gifted a scorer he is.”
Randle (30) shoots despite the efforts of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Randle needed a performance like Monday's, entering Monday's visit from the Clippers, he was shooting an abysmal 27 percent from the field, the worst percentage among any player with at least five starts.
The Randle rejuvenation proved contagious: after an even three periods, the Knicks (3-4) pulled away by shooting 65 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 35-21 and taking a lead that reached as high as 17. New York forced 22 turnovers and sealed the deal with a 21-9 run in the middle stages of the fourth quarter.
Randle's next chance to prove he's got it together comes on Wednesday night when the Knicks face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
