CLEVELAND – Just when Julius Randle was finding his game, playing with force at both ends of the floor, he landed wrong and reinjured that problematic left ankle.
Randle, who scored 13 points before the injury, did not return in the Knicks’ 106-95 series-clinching win over the Cavaliers.
With 1:17 left in the second quarter, Randle fell awkwardly while contesting a shot by Caris LeVert and stayed down.
Julius Randle was forced to exit the Knicks’ series-clinching win in the second quarter after he reaggravated his left ankle. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostTrainers immediately ran out to check on Randle.
He eventually walked off the court under his own power to the bench with a limp.
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Obi Toppin started in his place to open the second half and had a strong night, scoring 12 points off the bench in the win.
A sprained left ankle on March 29 against the Heat shelved Randle for the final five regular season games.
In Wednesday’s Game 5, Randle was having his best game of the series. Beside his 13 points, he also had six assists and four rebounds at the time of his injury.
His play helped the Knicks take a 61-51 lead into halftime.
