Knicks lose All-Star for rest of season and playoffs

Randle dislocated his shoulder on Jan. 27 and after months of trying to resolve the issue with rehabilitation, the team ruled that his shoulder was too unstable to return to the court. He'll have surgery and should be ready for the start of next season.

It's a disappointing result for both the three-time All-Star and his team. After trading for OG Anunoby, the Knicks went 12-2 with their new frontcourt duo, featuring the NBA's No. 1 defense in that stretch. Since Randle suffered the shoulder injury, Anunoby has also missed all but three games.

New York has remained near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but missing Randle likely means the end of its chances of being a title contender, something that seemed like a real possibility back in January. 

They're very likely to re-sign Anunoby in the summer and run it back with this year's surprising team, but it's not how Knicks fans imagined their best season in a decade would end.

They could still be a dangerous playoff team, thanks to the emergence of their Villanova-based core of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.

DiVincenzo has been a revelation after joining the starting lineup, setting team records for three-pointers. 

Hart seemingly never gets tired while logging huge minutes and has become a rebounding, triple-double force with Randle out. 

Brunson put up 61 points last week and might be a top-five MVP candidate. But in a symbol of the Knicks' injury-plagued season, they fell short in his 61-point effort.

It will be a tough playoff run without Randle. It'll be even tougher if Anunoby can't come back, either.