Despite a terrific off-season by the New York Knicks, injury concerns threaten to derail their start of the 2024-25 season. Training camp starts in early October, followed closely by the preseason and then the regular season in less than a month.
However, the health of two major members of their front court is still up in the air. All-star power forward Julius Randle hasn't played since January 27th thanks to a shoulder injury and while he is currently expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, he appears to still be ramping up the rehab of his shoulder.
That suggests that he may not be able to fully participate in Knicks training camp and in at least some of their preseason games. Hopefully he will be ready to go when the next season tips off on October 22nd against the Boston Celtics. If not, then they will have not one but two major holes, in their starting lineup.
In addition to Randall, Knicks starting center Mitchell Robinson has been ruled out for the start of the season with an ankle injury, which will keep him out at least until at least December.
NEWS: Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is not fully recovered from his May foot surgery and will not be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season, according to a league source. The team is targeting a December/January return, but that depends on his rehab process. The Knicks'…
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) September 23, 2024
That means that the Knicks won't have their starting center between five and nine weeks and that is a major problem with them not having a proven backup center on their team.
Can the Knicks weather injuries to Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson?
While New York could make do with Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims, they may need to rely on Randall to play center during that span. There is also the possibility that Mitchell being ruled out for the first six plus weeks of the season increases their urgency to make a trade for a backup big man. One that can help them in his absence and until Randall is able to work his way back up to his All-Star level.
Even so, New York will have a tough schedule to start the season; their first four games are against teams that made the playoffs in the East last season. They will also have two long road trips during the first five weeks of the season.
Fortunately for them, they will have several gimmies, including a four-game stretch where they face Chicago, Brooklyn twice, and Washington. That should help them keep pace early on while they work to get everyone healthy. However, once they do, the Knicks should be contenders in the East.