Julius Randle skipped the All-Star festivities in Indianapolis over the weekend, instead using the break to continue his recuperation from the shoulder injury that already has sidelined him for more than three weeks.
Speaking publicly for the first time since suffering a dislocated right shoulder on Jan. 27 against the Heat, Randle said Wednesday that he’s feeling “better and stronger” with the aim of returning before the season ends.
But he also acknowledged that he still hasn’t ruled out surgery to repair his non-shooting shoulder.
“I mean, we’ll see. There’s still necessary steps. It’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything ultimately and decide from there,” Randle, who still hasn’t been cleared for contact, said at the team’s practice facility. “But right now I’m just focused on trying to avoid [surgery], obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”
The three-time All-Star then was asked if he’s been told definitively by doctors that he eventually will need an operation in the offseason, even if he comes back and plays beforehand.
“I’ve heard many different opinions. Both, so we’ll see,” Randle said. “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.
“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. The training staff has been great, getting me back healthy and feeling better, so it’s a process.”
Randle, who is averaging 24.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season, was selected to the All-Star team for the third time in four seasons.
The selections of Randle and point guard Jalen Brunson marked the first time the Knicks have had two players designated as All-Stars since Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler represented the organization in 2013.
The Knicks (33-22) embarked on a 15-2 run after trade pickup OG Anunoby joined the lineup on Jan.1, but he also has been sidelined since Jan. 27 with an elbow injury that required cleanup surgery.
Tom Thibodeau said Wednesday that the Knicks, who dropped five of their final six games before the break, are hoping to get back some or all of Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles), Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring) and Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) for Thursday’s road game against the 76ers after they practiced for a second straight day.