The New York Knicks received some crushing news last week when they learned that Julius Randle would undergo season-ending surgery. Randle, who had separated his shoulder against the Miami Heat in late January, initially chose rehab in hopes of a playoff return. However, with surgery now imminent, the Knicks must face the postseason without a player who’s been named an all-star three times since joining the team, including this season.

Before his injury, Randle showcased impressive stats, averaging 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists per game. After the team acquired OG Anunoby in a trade, Randle’s numbers got even better, jumping to 24.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from deep.

Despite Randle’s absence, the Knicks have managed to stay competitive with a series of notable victories and tough losses. Jalen Brunson has been nothing short of heroic while Anunoby’s return from an injury in mid-March provided a spark heading down the stretch. Yet, the looming question remains: Can the Knicks navigate the playoffs successfully without Randle’s presence?

Are the Knicks going to be a good bet to reach the Eastern Conference Finals or even the NBA Finals without Randle? Hometown fans would love nothing more than to use New York sportsbooks to bet on the Knicks having a successful playoff run. New York has more than half a dozen sportsbooks that offer a wide array of features and ongoing promos. But are the Knicks a wise team to back during the playoffs?

Assuming the team suffers no additional injuries, the Knicks will face a decision between reverting to their Josh Hart-Anunoby frontcourt duo or opting for Hart coming off the bench with Miles McBride holding the two spot. The choice may hinge on the playoff matchup, though Hart seems the probable pick given his experience and physical presence.

Off the bench, the Knicks would feature Mitchell Robinson, Bojan Bogdanovic, either Hart or McBride, and potentially Precious Achiuwa or Alec Burks. Despite some loss in top-tier talent with Randle’s injury, the Kicks still boast a deep rotation. But will it be enough to survive a first-round matchup against the Magic, Cavaliers, or Pacers and then match up with the Celtics of Bucks later in the playoffs?

We caught a glimpse of how Brunson might lead a Randle-less Knicks squad against Cleveland in last year’s playoffs. Randle’s absence in the second half of Game 5 altered the team dynamics and changed the game. Yet, the Knicks persevered to take the series before losing in the next round. The Knicks also bested the Cavs in early March without Anunoby. While not definitive proof, these results hint that all is not lost without Randle on the floor.

Of course, getting past the Cavs or Magic isn’t the same as facing the Celtics of Bucks in the conference semifinals. Eventually, they’ll need to overcome one of those teams if the Knicks hope to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.

While nothing is impossible in sports, doubts arise due to substantial talent gaps. New York must generate enough offense against stout playoff defenses without one of their primary playmakers. During the regular season, they’ve created strategies to ease the burden on Brunson by utilizing off-ball plays, taking advantage of Isaiah Hartenstein’s passing abilities, and relying on McBride’s shooting.

But can they create shots effectively, especially considering their recent playoff struggles? Anunoby’s contributions would become crucial despite his limited offensive initiation. He’s often reliant on smart movements and play-calling to score. Plus, late in games, the Knicks will need a Plan B or Plan C when teams focus extra attention on Brunson.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have clearly struggled during Brunson’s rest periods. There has been a stark contrast in performance metrics when Brunson is on the bench compared to when he’s on the floor. With Randle, this would not be such a big concern heading into the playoffs. This puts even more pressure on Brunson, especially with New York’s bench contributions unreliable.

To their credit, the Knicks have been resilient without Randle this season. Potentially finishing third in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings would be a great accomplishment. Meanwhile, with a strong defense and unwavering effort, the Knicks could advance past a formidable first-round opponent on Brunson’s shoulders. But it’ll take more than that to get past the Celtics or Bucks, and without Randle, the Knicks may not have enough in the tank to make that deep playoff run fans have waited more than two decades to see.

By Chris Bates