New York Knicks star Julius Randle came back to his hometown of Dallas, Texas with a mission as he erupted in their game against the Mavericks on Friday night. The 26-year-old admitted that he wanted to play well in front of his family and friends in hopes of extending the Knicks' ongoing win streak.
Via Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News:
“Yeah, I was locked in and focused,” said Randle, who made 16-of-29 shots, including 6-of-11 3-point attempts. “I always love playing at home, in front of my friends, in front of my family. It’s always special for me.”
Randle spent most of his childhood in Dallas, Texas, before attending Prestonwood Christian Academy in the nearby city of Plano. He successfully made a name for himself as he emerged to be a five-star prospect with several Division I offers who went on to play under John Calipari at the University of Kentucky.
Currently playing in his seventh season in the league, Randle showed how much his game has evolved over the years when he visited Dallas in the midst of his All-Star caliber campaign. On Friday night, he notched 44 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to carry the Knicks to a 117-109 victory over the Mavericks.
Randle was one point shy of his career-high 45 points which he recorded against the Portland Trail Blazers back when he was still a member of the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2018-19 season. At the same time, he also surpassed his previous career-best output of 30 points scored against the Mavericks when he was still with his former team.
With the win, the Knicks have improved to a 30-27 record for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. They also extended their winning streak to five wins which now became their best stretch of games over the past seven years.
Julius Randle's stellar performance in his hometown not only exhibited his significant development as a basketball player but also showed how far the Knicks have improved compared to their previous seasons.
Follow Us
Subscribe