Julius Randle dislocated his shoulder on 1/27/24 when he ran into Jaime Jacques of the Miami Heat as Jacques was trying to draw a charge.  Randle will be missed as he averages 24.1 points and 9.2 rebounds a game.  The Knicks currently are on a 7 game win streak and are in 4^th place with a record of 30-17 going into the home game today against the Utah Jazz.  Randle did have an mri and is expected to be out for about a month.  But is this a true timeline and will he be able to return at his prior level?

The average time for a professional basketball player to miss games or playing time after a shoulder dislocation can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the dislocation, whether it’s a recurrent issue, and the specific treatment approach taken. 

Here are some general guidelines:

1. Mild Shoulder Dislocation: If it’s a first-time, mild shoulder dislocation without significant structural damage, a player may be able to return to the court within a few weeks to a couple of months with proper rehabilitation and conservative management. However, it’s important to note that the recovery timeline can be highly individual.
2. Severe or Recurrent Dislocations: For more severe dislocations or recurrent dislocations that require surgical intervention, the recovery period can be longer. Surgery may involve repairing torn ligaments or other damaged structures in the shoulder. Recovery can take several months, and players may require extensive rehabilitation before returning to full competitive play.
3. Individual Factors: The recovery timeline can also be influenced by the player’s overall health, response to treatment, and dedication to rehabilitation. 

While Randle does not have a prior history of a shoulder dislocation, recurrence, where the dislocation happens again can be as high as 85-90%.  Also of note, Jalen Brunson suffered a shoulder dislocation in February of 2020 when he was on the Dallas Mavericks and he ended up having surgery about 1 month later.  

In summary, the average time for a professional basketball player to miss after a shoulder dislocation can range from a few weeks to several months, with more severe injuries and surgical interventions typically requiring longer recovery periods. Hopefully for the Knicks he is able to return as expected.