As the Knicks continue their too-little, too-late surge to end the season, the Julius Randle problem persists.
It was on full display in Monday’s 109-104 victory over the Bulls, and taken to a new level with Randle turning into a spectator down the stretch. Last season’s All-Star was benched for most of the fourth quarter, following an ugly performance that had MSG fans alternating boos for Randle and chants for his replacement, Obi Toppin. After he was subbed back in, Randle didn’t take a field goal in the final 3:30, wandering around the court or standing in a corner, as RJ Barrett and Alec Burks carried the load. The Knicks will undoubtedly use Randle’s contused quad as the reasoning for his late-game disappearance, the same injury that kept Randle out of two games last week.
But Randle played the previous night and started Monday, finishing with a paltry stat line: 28 minutes, five points, 1-for-9 shooting. Randle didn’t score in the first half on four shots and turned frustrated in the third quarter, directing anger to his familiar target — the officiating crew. As the crowd chanted for Toppin, Randle picked up a technical for complaining to the ref with three minutes remaining in the third. It represented his 12th technical of the season, a career high.
Toppin was quickly subbed in and the crowd cheered. Randle then spent the next 11 minutes at the end of the bench with a towel draped around his shoulders.
His game ended with two missed free throws and an immediate walk off the court after the final buzzer, without partaking in the traditional postgame hugs and handshakes.
In a meaningless end to a disappointing season, this is all relevant because Randle begins a five-year max extension next season. He has warred with the fanbase and it’s difficult to envision how a marriage can last in this environment.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are continuing to succeed with Barrett running the show. They’ve won nine of their last 13 games, but failed to gain ground in the play-in race because Atlanta beat the Pacers. It’s still 4 ½ games out, and just eight games remaining.
At the very least, the Knicks’ post All-Star game rise provides evidence coach Tom Thibodeau has kept his team engaged and deserves to return next season.
But the Randle question is more difficult to answer.
