New York Knicks forward Julius Randle’s frustrations boiled over during Thursday night’s game against the Orlando Magic.
Randle’s emotional outburst appeared to stem from a play late in the second half when he appeared to have been fouled while driving to the basket. But the referees did not call a foul.
Randle lashed out at NBA officials and teammate Immanuel Quickley, and Randle was awarded a technical foul. He marked the third straight game in which Randle has been called for a technical foul.
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New York Knicks’ Julius Randle, right, drives against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at the Amway Center on March 23, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Quickley appeared to have intervened in the argument between Randle and the officials in an effort to prevent Randle from receiving a technical foul.
Randle didn’t take kindly to his teammate and had a few words for Quickley. Randle eventually moved away from Quickley, but the teammates continued to exchange words as they approached the locker room.
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Despite coming back from a 19-point deficit at one point in the game, the Knicks lost for the third straight time.
After the game, Randle was not available to speak to reporters.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau spoke to the media and mentioned some of the issues the team is facing.
«It’s our team right now, we’re just out of it. So you have to come together when you’re going through tough times,» Thibodeau said. «You get into things together, you get out of things together.
«So, it’s just that we have to do it, do everything much better. And we have to be committed to doing it as a team. There are going to be ups and downs that we’re going to have to navigate. Everyone does. And we can’t lose sight of what we’re trying to achieve «.
Julius Randle of the New York Knicks warms up before a game against the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on March 23, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Randle’s production on the court has been up and down of late. He finished Monday night’s game with his career-high 57 points, but followed that up with a 15-point night two days later in a loss to the Heat.
He scored 23 points Thursday despite shooting poorly from the field. Quickley finished the night with 25 points, starting in place of the injured Jalen Brunson.
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Quickley tried to downplay the situation in his postgame press session.
«Honestly, everybody’s trying to win. The heat of the moment. That’s basically what it is,» Quickley said. «We all want to win. We’re all trying to get doubles.
«That’s all I can really say. Sometimes that happens. It’s part of sports, part of what it takes to be a professional athlete. It’s not just basketball. There are other things with it. But everyone is trying to win «.
Julius Randle (30) of the New York Knicks reacts against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at the Amway Center on March 23, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time this season that Randle has let his emotions get the best of him. During a March 11 game against the Clippers, Thibodeau had to physically restrain Randle.
Randle has 11 technical fouls on the season.
«There’s emotion involved, so you want the emotion to come out. And then sometimes when you speak, it clears the air, so that’s good,» Thibodeau said. «You allow idiosyncrasies as long as they don’t get in the way of winning. Nothing can get in the way of winning. The team always has to come first. And therefore everyone is responsible for that.»
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The Knicks are ranked No. 5 in the Eastern Conference standings, but their lead over the sixth-place Heat has narrowed.
New York now has just a 1.5 game lead over Miami. The Nets fell to seventh place after a 116-114 loss to the Cavaliers on Thursday.