NBA: Julius Randle to have season-ending surgery

New York Knicks All-Star power forward/center Julius Randle will have season-ending shoulder surgery, the team confirmed Thursday.

Randle, 29, has been rehabbing the injury for the past two months, hoping to return to help the Knicks (44-31) make a playoff run. The Knicks said he will be re-evaluated in five months.

The three-time All-Star forward sustained a dislocated right shoulder on Jan. 27 after a collision with Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.

In 46 games (all starts) this season, Randle averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from 3-point range.

Randle addressed the possibility of surgery back in February.

“I like how I feel today as far as getting better, feeling stronger, progressing to where I need to be, as far as getting on the court,” Randle said on Feb. 21.

“But I’m never somebody to say never, so ultimately I have to do what’s best for myself to have a long career, have longevity in this.”

Randle has career averages of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 641 games (561 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-18), New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19) and Knicks. The Lakers drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 2014.

–Field Level Media/ Reuters