Julius Randle was questionable before Game 1. He had missed two weeks with a sprained left ankle. But after making steady progress in the final week of training, Randle took the stand for Game 1.
Randle hit five of his first eight shots and helped the Knicks through a first half that saw Brunson struggle.
“Julius played 77 games until he sprained his ankle. He practiced every day. What you see in games, what you see in practice—you know you’re going to get everything he’s got,” Thibodeau said.