MIAMI — The postseason started with RJ Barrett trying to find his game and Julius Randle battling a left ankle injury.
At the end of the first round, just as Barrett was starting to hit his stride, a mostly ineffective Randle re-injured the ankle that cost him the opening game of the second round.
But as the Knicks prepare for this do-or-die Game 6 against the Heat Friday night as a significant underdog, Barrett and Randle have elevated their games, complementing the consistently brilliant Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks’ Big 3 is finally clicking at the same time.
The trio have all scored at least 20 points in each of the last two games, and in three of the last four.
It is particularly important with Immanuel Quickley (left ankle) missing the last two games and Josh Hart struggling.
To send this series back to the Garden for Game 7, the Knicks will obviously need everyone at his best.
The Heat have been the better team through the first five games.
They are 4-0 at Kaseya Center in the playoffs and trailed for all of 24 seconds in the two wins over the Knicks there.
But if Brunson, Barrett and Randle can replicate their Game 5 performances, when the trio combined for 88 points on 27 of 52 shooting, made 11 3-pointers and played 122 of a possible 144 minutes, it will at least give the Knicks a puncher’s chance.
“It’s crucial in an elimination game. Everything matters. Can’t really take anything for granted,” Brunson said. “Can’t really take plays off. That’s all it comes down to, one possession at a time. Just being together for the minutes you’re out there.”
Brunson was the story of the gritty win, pouring in 38 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists in a full 48 minutes.
It overshadowed the continued excellence of Barrett, who is averaging 20.1 points on 45.5 percent shooting after two poor games to start the playoffs.
In this series, his numbers are even better: 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 41.2 percent 3-point shooting.
Perhaps the biggest reason for optimism, though, is Randle.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks vs. Heat NBA playoff series
- Vaccaro: Knicks’ failure to help Brunson is why their season’s over
- Knicks battle but fall in season-ending Game 6 loss to Heat
- Knicks couldn’t survive two minutes without Brunson
- Brunson’s heroic night spoiled by late turnover
It’s been a haywire postseason for him, interrupted by the nagging ankle injuries and inconsistent play.
His second half on Wednesday was fantastic.
He made all five of his field-goal attempts, scored 14 points and had four assists.
He punctuated the performance with a hustle play, stripping Kyle Lowry after a Mitchell Robinson missed free throw with 17.1 seconds left and scored to ice the game.
It came two days after his eyebrow-raising quote, “maybe [the Heat] want it more.”
“I liked his game. He took a pretty big hit to start the game,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The first quarter was rough but he fought through it. And then I liked the way he attacked the basket. I thought he had really good balance tonight, made good reads.”
Randle was sporting a good-sized bruise under his eye, the result of a first-quarter collision with Bam Adebayo.
It was an opening 12 minutes to forget for the team’s lone All-Star.
Randle missed six of seven shots and committed two turnovers.
After sitting most of the second quarter, Randle returned to the court playing with more force and decisiveness.
He sent the Knicks into the break with momentum and the lead by sinking a step-back 3-pointer.
“It’s the price of war I guess,” Randle joked about the bruise. “After that I couldn’t really see anything. But seeing the guys go out and compete the way they did energized me. I started to feel a little bit better after that.”
Eventually, so did his teammates.
So did the sold-out Garden crowd.
What felt like the end of this surprising season had at least 48 minutes left in it after all.
For the Knicks to earn 48 more, they will need the big three of Brunson, Randle and Barrett to repeat their virtuoso performance Friday night in South Beach.