Randle Racks Up 57 at MSG

03/21/2023 Randle Racks Up 57 at MSG

By: Jeff Yoder

Julius Randle (57 Points) Flirts With MSG Record as Knicks Fall Late

A bittersweet night in Madison Square Garden was the NBA’s top highlight from Monday. Julius Randle poured in 57 points on a historic night for the Knicks, but it was the visiting Timberwolves who pulled out a road win with some sharpshooting (140-134). Nonetheless, Randle’s 57-point outing came on 19-for-29 shooting (8-for-14, 3pt) and was tied for the third-most by a Knicks player in franchise history. Only Carmelo Anthony (62, 2014) and Bernard King (60, 1984) had more in a Knicks uniform. It had been nine years since Anthony gave the Knicks their last 50-point scorer in that 2014 game — the second-longest drought of any NBA franchise. Randle’s night was certainly memorable in the illustrious history of Madison Square Garden. In the end, he failed to pull down a rebound with the Knicks trailing by 3 in the final seconds.

 

Watch: Julius Randle Scores 57 in Knicks’ Loss

 

Other NBA Highlights

 

Bulls Snap Sixers’ Streak: The 76ers entered Monday winners of eight straight games, but the Bulls put that streak to rest with a double-overtime win in Chicago (109-105, 2OT). Joel Embiid boosted his MVP resume with a 37-point night, and the Bulls (34-37) are clinging to the final play-in spot in the East.

 

Ja Morant Back in Memphis: He wasn’t playing, but Ja Morant returned to the Grizzlies bench on Monday as Memphis took down Dallas (112-108) for their third straight win. The Grizz have retaken the No. 2 spot in the West from the Kings, and Morant could return from his suspension on Wednesday.

 

Kings Still Waiting: Sacramento is still waiting patiently to break their 17-year playoff drought after the Kings lost to the Jazz on Monday (128-120) despite 37 from De’Aaron Fox. The last time Sacramento made the postseason was in 2006. That drought is destined to end, it’s just a matter of time. They’ll face the Celtics, Suns, and Jazz this week in an attempt to clinch by the weekend.

 

Photo: Jess Rapfogel / Getty Images