Stephen A. Smith is in his feelings after the crushing loss of Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle.
The “First Take” host learned that Randle will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery while on-air Thursday and his reaction was as dramatic as expected.
Smith — who held his head in his hands before he repeatedly slammed the desk in disgust — ranted about his beloved Knicks while theatrical music played in the background.
“[The Knicks were] 24-9 [on] 47 percent shooting, OG Anunoby arrives [after a trade with the Raptors in December 2023] and they got the best record in the month of January,” Smith said.
The ESPN personality was referring to happier times, when the Knicks were riding high before Randle dislocating his right shoulder in a win against the Miami Heat on Jan. 27.
Smith said he believes the Knicks were in prime position to make a deep postseason run with a healthy Randle.
“You got an opportunity with Milwaukee looking suspect, Miami looking suspect at times, [Sixers star center] Joel Embiid injured [knee],” Smith said. “They had a chance to get to the conference finals against Boston and then this happens.
“You can’t make it up, man. Just go, just go,” he concluded while dropping his head in his hand again.
Randle will be reevaluated in five months, the Knicks announced before Thursday’s game against the Kings.
The three-time All-Star hasn’t played since suffering the injury on his non-shooting shoulder.
He returned to workouts last month while rehabbing the injury, but never received medical clearance for contact.
In late February, the 29-year-old Randle said he felt good and was targeting a return before the end of the regular season — but did not rule out a potential surgery.
“We’ll see. There’s still necessary steps. It’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything ultimately and decide from there,” Randle said at the time. “But right now I’m just focused on trying to avoid [surgery], obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”
The Knicks are 15-14 in 29 games without Randle.
They will need Anunoby in order to make a playoff push in the Eastern Conference race, however, he is dealing with an elbow injury that required surgery in January.
The 26-year-old NBA champ is set to miss his ninth straight game Thursday.
The Knicks (44-31) currently sit in the No. 5 spot in the East, while Sacramento is No. 8 in the West.
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Josh Hart (wrist) are listed as questionable for the Knicks.
