NEW YORK — Julius Randle’s stay on the COVID-19 list was short.
The forward cleared protocols ahead of Tuesday’s home game against the Pacers, the Knicks announced, although he’s listed as questionable because the team must gauge his conditioning following five days away from the gym.
Randle, 27, entered protocols on Thursday, which used to mean a 10-day absence. But the recent change in quarantine guidelines, which was reduced to five days for asymptomatic individuals, allowed for his return after just two missed games.
The Knicks struggled without Randle, who had missed just one of the previous 134 games before his positive COVID-19 test. They were pummeled by the Thunder and Raptors, managing a season-low 80 points in the Friday contest at OKC.
Fans and media had been lobbying for more time for Randle’s backup, Obi Toppin, but the rotation was a dud in the two games without the team’s All-Star. Toppin played a career-high 45 minutes in Sunday’s loss in Toronto.
“It’s the day and age of social media, and that’s what social media is. You try not to pay attention to it, because it’s really meaningless, whether it’s praise or criticism,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said about criticism directed at Randle. “It doesn’t really matter. Really, what matters is what we think. And so, we know how important it is.
“But it’s like the backup quarterback. Everyone thinks the backup should start until he has to start. And so, Julius is a terrific player.”
Randle, however, has been markedly less efficient compared to his All-NBA performance in the 2020-21 campaign. His numbers before Tuesday (41.7% shooting, 33% from beyond the arc) left the impression last season was more anomaly than a jumpstart to a steep upward trajectory.
Either way, the Knicks certainly need his playmaking without point guards Derrick Rose (ankle surgery) and Kemba Walker (sore knee).
They are also awaiting the return of centers Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims from COVID-19 protocols. Both are listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game. Nerlens Noel remains out after entering protocols Dec. 22. His lengthy stay suggests either symptomatic COVID-19 and/or he continues to test positive.
