Julius Randle remains questionable for the New York Knicks for Saturday’s Game 1 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The All-Star forward sprained his left ankle on March 29 in the Knicks’ 101-92 win over the Miami Heat.
The Knicks decided to shut him down in their remaining five games even though they were still fighting for a playoff spot. The move worked brilliantly as New York clinched a postseason berth and also allowed Randle about two weeks to recover.
Randle’s availability and how the injury has affected him could be the deciding factor in this series. He is averaging 25.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 4.1 APG in 77 games. “Don Julio” is also hitting 45.9% of his shots, including 34.3% from behind the arc.
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Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has built the offense around Julius Randle. He’s the fulcrum of everything the Knicks do, especially on the offensive end.
Most Improved Player candidate Jalen Brunson often takes over in late-game situations, but it’s been Randle who has carried the brunt of the offense.
New York is 3-2 without its versatile power forward. They need him to be at his best to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Julius Randle versus Evan Mobley will be a crucial matchup in this series
The matchup that could determine the series between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers is between Julius Randle and Evan Mobley.
Randle is averaging 23.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in three games against the Cavs. “Don Julio” shoots 43.4% of his shots, including 40.9% from beyond the arc against Cleveland’s lauded defense.
Tasked with tracking down and defending Julius Randle will be Mobley, one of the best defenders in the NBA. Cleveland’s lanky power forward has built a strong case for winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. If he does, he will become the youngest to accomplish the feat.
Evan Mobley leads the NBA in Defensive Win Shares and Defensive Real Plus/Minus. He is an expert on the perimeter, where Thibodeau often allows Randle to operate.
Mobley (21.7%) is second only to the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton (24.5%) in time spent guarding the perimeter. Julius Randle won’t stray far from the rim.
Randle likes to isolate himself behind the goal where he can choose to drive or shoot over opponents. Evan Mobley can shut down his drives and limit his 3s. The defensive genius from Cleveland leads the NBA in 3-pointers made.
If Randle gets past Mobley, Jarrett Allen will be waiting for him at the rim. The Cavaliers’ starting center may not have Mobley’s defensive instincts, but Allen relishes the challenge of protecting the paint.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will also have to deal with Jalen Brunson, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. But if they can contain or limit Randle, they’ll have a good chance of making it to the semifinals.
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