How Julius Randle dealt with Knicks playoff benching
Julius Randle understood Tom Thibodeau’s decision when it came to the All-Star forward watching the entire fourth quarter of the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Forty-eight hours later, in his first public comments since the benching, Randle said he didn’t have a problem with it.
“We won the game,” he said on Tuesday, before the Knicks flew out to Cleveland for what they hope will be a series-clinching victory in Game 5.
Asked if he was upset by not being out there, Randle said: “It was Thibs’ decision.”
Randle said his sprained left ankle, which Thibodeau felt was part of his shaky performance on Sunday on such a short turnaround, is fine.
Randle, who missed the final five games of the regular season with the injury, practiced fully on Tuesday.
As for his effort in the third quarter, which appeared to be lacking on the defensive end, Randle declined to address it.
Julius Randle talks with the media at Knicks practice on April 25, 2023. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Julius Randle with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley at Knicks practice on April 25, 2023. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“That’s for you to judge,” he said. “I don’t know.”
Randle said he hasn’t spoken with Thibodeau about the benching, but his focus was on the Knicks closing out the series on Wednesday.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers NBA playoff series
Julius Randle during Game 4 of the Knicks-Cavaliers series. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“At the end of the day, I just want to win,” he said. “You know, I’m a competitor. Obviously I would like to play you know, but like I said it’s Thibs’ decision.”
Source: New York Post
