Is LaMelo Ball playing? Julius Randle? Knicks at Hornets injury report for January 29

The New York Knicks are coming to town on Monday night to take on the Charlotte Hornets, but they’ll be without star forward, Julius Randle. Randle injured his shoulder at the end of the Knicks home victory over the Heat on Saturday.

Randle was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder and he is expected to miss several weeks. The former all-star has played in all 46 games this season for the Knicks and has been having one of his best seasons, averaging 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, while helping the Knicks to a 29-17 record, good for 4th place in the East.

Now, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks will be without Randle for at least a few weeks, but there is optimism that he has avoided the need for surgery, and his return date will be measured in weeks, not months.

For the home side, the status of LaMelo Ball is also in doubt.

Ball missed the Hornets’ Saturday night game against the Jazz with a sore ankle. He is currently listed as questionable for Monday night with the same injury.

Ball has dealt with injury for much of the season, only playing in 22 of the team’s 44 games so far. While on the court, Ball has put up 24 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game on the year. 

Despite the missed game on Saturday, there is optimism that Ball will be able to return on Monday night, as he’s a game-time-decision. Charlotte was playing the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday and he suited up the night before, Friday against the Rockets.

It’s likely that LaMelo was just resting his ankle after playing the night before, and should be good to go against the Knicks, who are currently 9.5 point favorites.