New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle has played exceptional basketball as of late, so much so that he was a nominee for this week’s Eastern Conference Player of The Week.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid won the Player of The Week for the East after averaging an absurd 43.3 PPG with 10.3 RPG during the week.
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The Knicks are seeing the best of Julius Randle right now:
Those numbers are nearly impossible to top, but the Knicks’ big man still shined and gained the national spotlight this week, putting more people on notice for what has been an underrated bounce-back season for Randle.
In a week’s worth of games where the NYK went 3-0, Randle put up some All-NBA level stats:
- 31.3 PPG (2nd in the East, minimum 3 games played)
- 10.7 RPG (6th in the East)
- 39.4 3PT%
- 89.3 FT% (6th among East PF)
This fantastic stretch of games has given many fans a flash to the past of when Randle let the team to its first playoff appearance in nearly a decade back in the 2020-21 season.
Julius recorded at least 30 points twice in that three-game stretch, and it would’ve likely been stretched to a third game had he not gotten ejected late in the third quarter after scoring 27 points in the first half on Sunday.
Randle is arguably playing his best basketball as a member of the NYK, and that includes his accolade-filled 2020-21 season. His fellow teammates are surely noticing the impact he’s had on this New York squad.
RJ Barrett had some kind words to share about his teammate after Sunday’s win over the Sacramento Kings.
“He’s going crazy”, Barrett said. “He’s hooping. Hope he can keep it up.”
RJ Barrett on Julius Randle’s recent performance
Head coach Tom Thibodeau explained to reporters what he thinks is helping Randle look more in sync on the floor.
“I think a lot of things [have helped Randle make quicker decisions]. I think moving without the ball, I think screening, I think playing at a faster pace, I think those things, and I think he sees that and he’s scoring different ways.”
Tom Thibodeau on Julius Randle’s improvement via MSG Network
Randle will look to continue the hot streak of games and rebound from the ejection when the Knicks play the Chicago Bulls on the road on Wednesday. There is a chance that Jalen Brunson will not play in the game, so Randle may have to do some extra heavy lifting.
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