Randle explains thumbs-down gesture to Knicks fans: 'Shut the f--- up'

Warning: Story contains coarse language

Julius Randle isn't thrilled with the lack of support from New York Knicks fans, and he's letting them know.

After scoring a fourth-quarter basket against the Boston Celtics during the Knicks' 108-105 win Thursday, Randle directed a thumbs-down toward the Madison Square Garden crowd, which had booed the team earlier in the contest as they trailed by as much as 25.

When asked specifically what it meant, Randle responded bluntly.

"Shut the fuck up," he said postgame, courtesy of the Daily News' Stefan Bondy.

"You saw that," he added, when asked if it was a direct response to something. "You saw what was going on with that."

Randle struggled early in Thursday's contest, putting up just seven points on 3-of-9 shooting in the first half. However, he shot 5-of-11, including 2-of-5 from deep, and posted 15 points in the second half to help the Knicks erase the Celtics' lead. Third-year wing RJ Barrett then put the finishing touch on the improbable comeback, banking in a game-winning buzzer-beater to stun Boston.

It isn't the first time New York athletes have given their own fans a thumbs-down. Mets players started using the gesture as a sarcastic celebration in 2021 as a message to supporters who had booed them at Citi Field. Those displays were stomped out by team owner Steve Cohen and president Sandy Alderson.