Knicks 'hopeful' Randle will play in Game 1 vs. Heat
New York Knicks star forward Julius Randle is questionable for Sunday's Game 1 against the Miami Heat due to a sprained left ankle, but the team is hopeful he'll be ready for the start of the second-round series, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell.
"He didn't do much today but he's feeling a little bit better," Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday. "So go through the rehab, see where he is (Saturday). He's better today than he was (Thursday) and that was the big thing. So we're hopeful."
Randle missed the final five games of the regular season after injuring the ankle against the Heat on March 29.
He returned for New York's first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and started all five contests, but he sprained the same ankle again in Wednesday's series-clinching victory. Randle left at halftime and didn't return.
The 28-year old struggled to return to form against the Cavaliers, averaging 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds - a far cry from his regular-season numbers of 25.1 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 33.8% from the field in the series compared to his regular-season mark of 45.6%.
If Randle were to miss time, reserve forward Obi Toppin could be in line for a bigger role. Toppin started five regular-season games in Randle's absence, averaging 21.8 points on 58.3% shooting.
The Knicks host the Heat in Game 1 on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.