Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been playing well during this year’s NBA playoffs and the first round of the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers. Randle averaged 22 points on 48% shooting from the field. Randle was one of the leading forces in the fight to eliminate the Lakers and advance. The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the semifinals of the Western Conference against the Golden State Warriors. Timberwolves lead the series 2-1 after Game 3 at Chase Center. In Game 2, Randle scored 24 points on 58% shooting.
In the only loss to the Warriors in this series, Randle shot 38%, scoring 18 points and six assists in Game 1. Since then, Randle has improved game to game against the Warriors. In Game 2, Randle dished out 11 dimes to teammates, being a threat to the Warriors, finding the opening man for the best shot, and was the leading scorer in that game with 24 points, shooting 10-for-17 from the field. The Timberwolves did get the win over the Warriors in Game 3, but how did Randle do?
Julius Randle Makes Timberwolves History
Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves won over the Golden State Warriors 102-97. Not only did the T’Wolves advance to 2-1 in the series, but Randle came out of Game 3 with a triple-double. The Minnesota Timberwolves haven’t had a player triple-double in the playoffs since 2004 by Hall of Fame Legend Kevin Garnett. In Game 3, Randle had 24 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds, and he recorded his first playoff triple-double. The last time Randle had a triple-double was with the New York Knicks on January 20th, 2024.
Could this version of Randle and Anthony Edwards push the Minnesota Timberwolves into the NBA Finals? One would have to think this was the outcome the Minnesota front office wanted: getting Randle back in 2024 with the trade that sent Karl Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. During the regular season, Randle averaged 18 points on 48% shooting from the field. Randle was only averaging 4.7 assists during the season, so far in this series with the Warriors, Randle is averaging 9.7 assists.
Could the Timberwolves Make the NBA Finals?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have never made it to the NBA Finals. They have made it to the Western Conference finals only twice: in 2003- 2004, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, and in 2023-2024, they lost to the Denver Nuggets. It would seem the Timberwolves are slowly coming together during these playoffs. Not only has Julius Randle stepped up, but Rudy Gobert has also. During the first round against the Lakers, Gobert had a fantastic game with 27 points and 24 rebounds in the elimination game of the series. Naz Reid comes off the bench and provides points and defense.
Another weapon that the T’Wolves have is Jaden McDaniels. McDaniels was averaging 12 points on 47% shooting from the field during this season. During the playoffs, he’s averaging 16 points on 58% shooting. Suppose all of Minnesota’s weapons and Anthony Edwards can come together collectively. In that case, the Timberwolves have a good chance of beating the Warriors and making it to the Western Conference finals again. As far as the NBA Finals, we will see. Could the Minnesota Timberwolves get revenge on the Denver Nuggets or battle head-to-head with the Oklahoma City Thunder? Or could the Warriors fight back and put the T’Wolves to bed?
Final Thoughts
Julius Randle has stepped up tremendously for the Timberwolves, even when Edwards hasn’t been his best or unavailable. Randle has put the team on his back at times during these playoffs. Whether it’s making a shot, making the right pass to the open man, or being aggressive on defense. If Randle and Ant-Man can continue this reign of terror, the Timberwolves may not only win a Western Conference title but could make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
