According to reports, the Knicks are optimistic that Julius Randle could miss "weeks, not months" with a separated right shoulder, potentially avoiding the disastrous outcome of season-ending surgery.
If it is indeed weeks, six weeks is a lot different than three, so time will tell how much of a crisis New York avoided. But Evan has a date circled on his calendar where he would need the two-time All-Star back by.
"As skeptical as I or others may be about his play in the playoffs, if the Knicks are gonna go anywhere, Julius Randle has to be there," Evan said. "Any day after March 15, I get worried. I get worried about being ready for the postseason the way he needs to be ready for the postseason.
"March 15. Let's get him back, let's get him into playoff shape, and let's go."
A March 15 return would still give Randle a month's worth of regular season games to get back into game shape, shake off the rust, and be ready for the postseason. Last year, Randle sprained his ankle just before the playoffs, missing the last five regular season games as a result. Evan says the Knicks can't afford to have that happen with Randle again this year, as they need an answer on whether he can perform in the postseason.
"As a hater, I don't want questions. I don't want a cloud of 'well, he wasn't healthy. That's why he struggled.' We don't want that," Evan said. "We want him healthy to see what this man is made of come playoff time."
