Julius Randle revealed on Thursday that he suffered a setback five weeks ago that ultimately led to the decision to have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder.
The Knicks star told Bleacher Report that he had tried “everything in my power” to return from the shoulder issue that first reared its ugly head on Jan. 27, but after going through a full-contact session with pads, Randle re-injured the shoulder five weeks ago and forced him to have to undergo the procedure.
“My s–t wasn’t stable,” Randle said. “I felt like I was in the same state when I first dislocated it, and It’s been an uphill battle ever since. Choosing to get surgery was my only option at this point. It’s frustrating, but I’m at peace knowing I tried everything.”
The Knicks made the disappointing announcement about Randle before their game against the Kings on Thursday and said that he would be re-evaluated in five months.
Randle told reporters back in late February that he was aiming to return to the floor before the end of the season, and during his interview with Bleacher Report, the 29-year-old said he anticipated being ready to go for the 2024-25 season.
The decision to finally have surgery — one in which he opted not to do after initially injuring his shoulder — came after meeting with several specialists including one that said he “100 percent needed to get surgery” and another raising concerns that another dislocation could lead to permanent damage.
“I believe in this team and wanted to give it a try,” Randle said. “It didn’t work out, unfortunately. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it was my only option at this point. It wasn’t getting right.”
against the Heat. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Randle had no regrets over his decision not to undergo surgery right away and felt that if he opted for a procedure then, there would have been a “what if I could play” question that would have nagged at him.
“That contact session derailed it,” Randle said about the hope that he could have played this season.
The Knicks have gone 15-14 in games without Randle in the lineup and have been dealing with other injury issues, which included an elbow problem with OG Anunoby who has been out since Jan. 27.
The Knicks sat in fifth in the Eastern Conference and had dropped their last three games entering Thursday night’s meeting with the Kings at Madison Square Garden.