Knicks' Tom Thibodeau Provides Julius Randle Update amid Shoulder Injury Rehab

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau provided a key update on the status of Julius Randle's shoulder injury rehab ahead of Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Randle, who has yet to be cleared for full contact, is "shooting, doing individual work, that's all good. He can do 5-0; that sort of thing. Light contact with the pads," Thibodeau said, per SNY's Ian Begley.

There is no timetable for Randle to be cleared for contact, Thibodeau added. The veteran "needs to be able to take contact on his shoulder and use it to create space," per Begley.

Randle is currently taking "controlled" contact. He will travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip, which begins Thursday.

Randle hasn't suited up since dislocating his right shoulder in a Jan. 27 win over the Miami Heat.

Th 29-year-old suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of that matchup when he collided with Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., who attempted to draw a charge, and landed on his right shoulder while driving for a layup.

Randle told reporters last month that he was progressing well in his rehab, though he wouldn't rule out surgery on the injured shoulder.

"I like how I feel today as far as getting better, feeling stronger, progressing to where I need to be, as far as getting on the court," he said. "But I'm never somebody to say never. So, ultimately, I have to do what's best for myself to have a long career, have longevity in this."

Randle, who has appeared in only 46 games this season, is missing out on a $1.28 million contract bonus, as he won't be able to hit the 65-game mark to go along with the Knicks reaching the playoffs, ESPN's Bobby Marks reported Sunday.

At this point, the Knicks are just hoping Randle can play again this season as they aim to contend with Eastern Conference heavyweights like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.

Randle is an important contributor for New York. He was averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and 31.1 percent from deep prior to injuring his shoulder.

If Randle can return from his injury before the playoffs begin, the Knicks should be a tough out for whichever team they end up facing in the first round.