NEW YORK — Julius Randle was again back on his pandemic groove.
The power forward, whose 2020-21 pandemic season was among the best in recent Knicks history, continued his strong start to this campaign by dropping 25 points with 12 boards in Monday night’s 115-102 victory over the Magic.
Randle lost his smile and his jumper last season as fans returned to arenas, prompting outbursts on the court and rumors of a relocation. But he’s clearly in a better space after the long offseason. Randle even sent an Instagram message Monday to Madison Square Garden, “I’ve missed you.”
That sentiment would’ve hard to believe about five months ago.
Now it’s convincing. On Monday, the 1-time All-Star was bullying the Magic while RJ Barrett struggled and Jalen Brunson navigated foul trouble. Randle is averaging an efficient 21.3 points this season on 51% shooting, including 44% on 3-pointers. He has committed just 1.6 turnovers per game.
The Knicks (2-1), who moved the ball and dished 24 assists, won their second straight against a bottom dweller of the Eastern Conference. They beat the Pistons on Friday and finish a three-game homestand with another winnable game Wednesday against the Hornets.
The rebuilding Magic (0-4) will be situated in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes this season. Their top player is this year’s No. 1 pick, Paolo Banchero, a very early Rookie of the Year frontrunner who scored 21 points in 34 minutes Monday.
The Knicks, though, are deeper, savvier and stronger. They held the advantage all evening.
The second unit ran rampant with Obi Toppin providing his usual array of highlights. This time, Toppin’s greatest play was a pass: a no-look behind-the-back dish to Barrett for a breakaway dunk.
Brunson was the stabilizer while scoring 21 points with six assists in 33 minutes. When the Knicks looked vulnerable with about four minutes because their lead fell to 6, Brunson responded with an and-1 jumper. It was all the separation the Knicks required.
Barrett added 20 points but continued his poor shooting. He missed 12 of his 19 attempts overall. Barrett converted his first 3-pointer of the season with about 4:30 remaining in the third quarter, which followed 11 consecutive misses over the opening three games.
