NBA

Julius Randle expects to be ready for Knicks season: ‘Ahead of schedule’

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Published June 20, 2024, 7:43 p.m. ET

While explaining his tortured decision to undergo shoulder surgery before the playoffs, Julius Randle said his recovery is “ahead of schedule” and he’ll be available for the start of next season.

“I’m good, bro. … I’m good, I’m healthy,” Randle said on “7PM in Brooklyn” with hosts Carmelo Anthony and Kid Mero. “I’m getting there. It’s a process. It’s something that’s going to take a long time. I knew that going into it. But I’m ahead of schedule, I’m feeling good. I’m healthy. I’ll be ready when the season starts.”

Randle’s surgery was April 9 in Los Angeles, less than two weeks prior to the Knicks first-round playoff series against the 76ers and more than two months after the power forward suffered a dislocated shoulder.

There’s been no official timeline for his recovery, but six months is common for that type of procedure — placing Randle back into action in October, a couple weeks into training camp.

Julius Randle claims he is "ahead of schedule" on his recovery from shoulder surgery.
Julius Randle claims he is “ahead of schedule” on his recovery from shoulder surgery. Jason Szenes for New York Post

The long recovery — and the potential for it to impact next season — was part of the reason he abandoned his attempt to return without surgery.

The bigger reason was Randle’s shoulder wasn’t getting better.

The 29-year-old previously said he suffered a setback during a full contact practice.

“I’m rehabbing for 2 ½ months knowing my shoulder ain’t good,” Randle said. “So it’s a situation where it’s like, ‘Do I play and know that I’m going to miss six or seven months after we’re done playing?’ So I’m probably not playing into the next year. And I’m not good. So can I help the team? I can’t get a rebound. I can’t fall. I feel like if I fall my shoulder is going to come out. So I’m dealing with that.”

Julius Randle (30) is helped by a trainer after he goes up for a shot and falls over Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) landing on his arm.
Julius Randle is helped by a trainer after he goes up for a shot and falls over Heat’s
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (not pictured) who landed on his arm during a Jan. 27 game. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Julius Randle (30) goes up for a shot and falls over Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) landing on his arm. Randle injures his arm on the play during the second half.
Julius Randle goes up for a shot and falls over Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) who landing on his arm. Randle was injured on the play during the Jan. 27 game. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Randle said he felt like a failure as the Knicks were preparing for a playoff run.

“I’m also dealing with the part like I feel selfish, like I’m letting the guys down,” Randle said. “Then it came to the point where I don’t even want to be around because I’m trying to work to come back but I feel like I’m a distraction. I feel like an outcast. I’m like, let me just stay away, they’re doing great, let me just be around and support when I can. So I had to get out of my own way of my own ego and be like, all right, once I made that decision, deal with it, and keep moving and support the best way we can. But that s–t was tough.”

The Knicks earned the second seed but fell in the second round to the Pacers, largely because of an avalanche of injuries.

Randle was one of five Knicks to undergo surgery during or after the season, joining Jalen Brunson (hand), OG Anunoby (elbow), Mitchell Robinson (ankle, twice) and Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle, wrist).

Randle is eligible for a contract extension this summer and recently expressed his desire to remain long term in New York, where he joined Melo as the second Knick with three All-Star appearances since Patrick Ewing.