At this time in the regular season, most teams have a clear idea of the fixtures in the playoffs. For Instance, that’s certainly the case time for the Eastern Conference, with the Boston Celtics soaring above everyone. It’s almost certain that they will reach the 2nd round of the post-season. Following closely behind is the New York Knicks in the third seed. However, just at the cusp of the playoffs, news about Julius Randle mars their chances.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski X post “Julius Randle will undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery, sources tell ESPN.” Reacting to that information Mark D’Amico wrote, “This could be a very big deal for the Celtics, who at this moment would be scheduled to face the winner of Orlando-New York in the second round, should Boston advance.”

Randle suffered a shoulder dislocation late in January during the matchup against the Heat. The power forward had been in rehab ever since in hopes of recovery without surgery. However, he has now been set to face the apparent unavoidable, leaving the Knicks in a challenging situation.

Currently, the Celtics are due to face the 8th seed, the Philadelphia 76ers. If Joel Embiid doesn’t return by the playoffs Jayson Tatum and Co, roll right through them. Now, when it comes to the Knicks, if they play without Randle, their chances of defeating Orlando and then the Celtics seem slim. So, the All-NBA forward’s season-ender might prove beneficial for Boston, offering a possibly easier path to the Eastern Conference finals.

What are the Implications of Julius Randle’s absence from the Knicks?

Injuries have hampered the Knicks’ potential this season. Despite a 12-2 record with both Julius Randle and OG Anunoby in the lineup, Randle won’t return soon, and Anunoby has been sidelined since March 16 due to an elbow injury. This absence has thrust Jalen Brunson into a leading role without two key options. Randle who was performing at a high level before his setback, earned his third All-Star Game selection in four years. Averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, he posed a constant double-double threat and was a game-changing scorer.

New York is struggling without Randle’s offense and Anunoby’s defense, suffering three consecutive losses. The team now heavily relies on players like Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride to bolster scoring alongside Brunson.

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The Knicks have slipped to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings and are just two games ahead of the play-in tournament spots with seven games remaining. Overcoming this challenge or avoiding an early playoff exit will be tougher without Randle as a secondary option. Can the Knicks make it far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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