Knicks’ All-Star Julius Randle leaves game with sprained ankle as New York readies for playoffs

The New York Knicks are holding their breath at the worst possible time.

All-Star forward Julius Randle left their game Wednesday against the Miami Heat in the first half with an ankle injury.

The team called it a sprain. He shot two free throws after the injury and tried to stay in but left the floor with a trainer and did not return.

The Knicks have lost six of their last 10, but they should comfortably make the playoffs.

Their 43-33 record is good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and they are three games ahead of the play-in tournament with five to go after Wednesday night.

They are lined up for a tough matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swooped in and took New York’s top trade target in Donovan Mitchell over the summer. Without Randle, the Knicks could be in trouble.

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Randle has gotten a bad rep the last couple of weeks with outbursts against referees and teammates. It was a constant criticism of him last season after he took a step back from a Most Improved Player campaign in 2020-21 that saw him make his first All-Star team and help the Knicks to their first playoff berth since 2012-13.

But Randle’s 25.4 points and 10 rebounds per game and his 34.4% shooting on 3-pointers led the team entering Wednesday. 

The Knicks play the Cavs in Cleveland Friday. Randle has not missed a game all season, and he leads the team at 35.8 minutes per game. He has played the second-most minutes in the NBA this season — 2,723 entering Wednesday.