Sources: Julius Randle not expected to play Game 1 for Knicks

Knicks forward Julius Randle is not expected to play Sunday in Game 1 of New York's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Heat because of a sprained left ankle, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Knicks have listed Randle as a game-time decision, and coach Tom Thibodeau had previously said he was hopeful the two-time All-Star would be available for the series opener.

Randle was on the court Sunday morning at Madison Square Garden going through warmups.

Related Stories

Sources: Knicks' OG Anunoby, Josh Hart on track to play Game 7

• May 19, 12:49 PM

Pacers score 39 points in first quarter vs. Knicks to set a Game 7 record

• May 19, 4:31 PM

Sources: Green Bay expected to hire Doug Gottlieb as basketball coach

• May 14, 2:09 PM

He originally injured the ankle in a March 29 win over the Heat and missed the rest of the regular season. Randle returned for Game 1 of the Knicks' first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers but largely struggled to find any rhythm, averaging 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds over the five games -- down from his regular-season averages of 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds.

Randle was benched for the fourth quarter of the Knicks' Game 4 win over the Cavaliers last Sunday and shot 25-for-74 in the series.