DECEMBER 4 RANDLE WINS EASTERN CONFERENCE POTW Julius Randle is tipping off the holiday season on a high note, as the New York Knicks’ two-time All-Star forward has been bestowed the Eastern Conference’s Play of the Week Award for the span of Nov. 27 through Dec. 3. Randle is the second New Yorker to earn the honor this season, joining Jalen Brunson (Nov. 13-19).
Randle continues to rise from early season woes, as his efforts guided the Knicks (12-7) to three consecutive victories this week. He averaged a double-double at 24.7 points and 13.3 rebounds in the trio, headlined by a 25-20 effort in last Monday’s win over Charlotte. With that performance, Randle became the first New Yorker to post a 20-20 game since Enes Kanter Freedom in 2018.
Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox took home the Western Conference edition.
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DECEMBER 3 PORZINGIS TO MISS CELTICS’ IST QUARTERFINAL The Boston Celtics will be missing one of their most valuable newcomers as they seek in-season glory on Monday night: the team announced that former New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis (calf) would not play against the Indiana Pacers (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT) in the first quarterfinal of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla labeled Porzingis “day-to-day” in comments obtained by Cameron Tabatabaie of Celtics Wire.
“He didn’t practice yesterday,” Mazzulla said. “But he got on the court before practice. His status hasn’t been updated as far as if we’ll be ready for money.”
“Money,” of course, refers to the ultimate prize afforded to the In-Season Tournament’s champions, with each member of the winning team getting $500,000. The winner of the Boston-Indiana tilt will face the victor of a Tuesday tilt between the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas, which will also host the championship final on Saturday night.
