All-star forward Julius Randle missed New York's 108-101 loss to Miami in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday with a sprained left ankle.
The Knicks led by 13 points in the first half before going down without the leading scorer.
Knicks' Julius Randle misses Game 1
Randle was injured late in the regular season and missed the last five games before returning for a first-round game against Cleveland.
But in the crucial fifth game, he got injured again and missed the second half.
Knicks' Julius Randle misses Game 1
Randle has done little since the Knicks returned to practice. He trained at Madison Square Garden Sunday morning and coach Tom Thibodeau said it was a play call,
but the Knicks ruled him out about 45 minutes before the tip. Quentin Grimes returned after missing the last two games with a bruised shoulder,
but the Knicks kept Josh Hart on guard in the starting lineup. Obi Toppin started in Randle's place.
All Images Credit to Google Images/ respective Owner