The New York Knicks are holding their breath at the worst possible time.
All-Star forward Julius Randle left their game Wednesday against the Miami Heat in the first half with an ankle injury.
The team called it a sprain. He shot two free throws after the injury and tried to stay in but left the floor with a trainer and did not return.
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![Julius Randle of the New York Knicks on the floor after getting injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden March 29, 2023, in New York City.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/03/640/320/randle-hurt.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Julius Randle of the New York Knicks on the floor after getting injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden March 29, 2023, in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
The Knicks have lost six of their last 10, but they should comfortably make the playoffs.
Their 43-33 record is good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and they are three games ahead of the play-in tournament with five to go after Wednesday night.
They are lined up for a tough matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swooped in and took New York’s top trade target in Donovan Mitchell over the summer. Without Randle, the Knicks could be in trouble.
![Julius Randle (30) of the New York Knicks walks after getting injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden March 29, 2023, in New York City.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/03/640/320/randle-hurt-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Julius Randle (30) of the New York Knicks walks after getting injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden March 29, 2023, in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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Randle has gotten a bad rep the last couple of weeks with outbursts against referees and teammates. It was a constant criticism of him last season after he took a step back from a Most Improved Player campaign in 2020-21 that saw him make his first All-Star team and help the Knicks to their first playoff berth since 2012-13.
But Randle’s 25.4 points and 10 rebounds per game and his 34.4% shooting on 3-pointers led the team entering Wednesday.
![Julius Randleof the New York Knicks after getting injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden March 29, 2023, in New York City.](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/03/640/320/randle-hurt-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Julius Randleof the New York Knicks after getting injured during the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden March 29, 2023, in New York City. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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The Knicks play the Cavs in Cleveland Friday. Randle has not missed a game all season, and he leads the team at 35.8 minutes per game. He has played the second-most minutes in the NBA this season — 2,723 entering Wednesday.