Coach Tom Thibodeau Decided To Keep Julius Randle In The Game Even After The Injury

Randle could have sustained a significant injury in the closing seconds of the Knicks’ 107-90 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of their first-round game after he crashed forcefully on the floor on a and-one slam over Jarrett Allen. Was he there to begin with because coach Thibodeau asked him to?

During the 2022–23 season, Julius Randle was the New York Knicks’ rock. Randle missed the last five regular-season games because of an ankle ailment, but he had played in 77 straight contests prior to that, and he wouldn’t miss any postseason action for the world.

Coach Tom Thibodeau Decided To Keep Julius Randle In The Game Even After The Injury

The accident happened in the final three minutes of play, with the Cleveland Cavaliers leading by a score of 103-80. The New York Knicks grabbed a fast-break opportunity with only 2:24 left on the clock as they urgently fought to catch up.

It now seems like keeping Julius Randle in the contest was the wisest move. Fans are reportedly incensed with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau for allowing Randle to play despite the team’s dire circumstances. Many thought Thibodeau ought to have waved the white flag and called it a night at that point. Unfortunately, he has a tendency to keep his best players on the floor regardless of the score differential.

If the Knicks had been watching the game nearby, this might have made sense. However, this action took place with two minutes remaining and the Knicks down by 23 points. With so little time left, there was no chance the Knicks could overcome such a significant disadvantage. Naturally, head coach Tom Thibodeau received a lot of criticism for his choice to keep his top players on the field when the game was already decided, especially because it put maybe his greatest player in harm’s way.

However, Thibodeau offered an explanation for what at first glance appears to be a terribly irresponsible, if not foolish, choice after the Knicks’ defeat.

“I actually was going to sub Julius [Randle] out but he wanted to stay in a couple more possessions just to find rhythm,” Thibodeau said, per SNY Knicks.

Back in the NBA Playoffs in 2012, one of Tom’s best players suffered an injury as a result of needlessly remaining on the court. That is when Derrick Rose had his career-altering injury. With barely one minute and a half remaining in the game, the Chicago Bulls held a sizable 99-87 advantage. Rose eventually broke his left knee while still lying on the ground, which completely altered the trajectory of his career.

 

 

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