Julius Randle has turned into an X factor for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2023 playoffs. He has flashes of brilliance yet at times extreme inconsistency. In Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Randle demonstrated his scoring prowess with 24 points, shooting an impressive 9-for-15 from the field. It was his ability to make the tough shots, the contested shots that really wowed everyone. He went 7-for-11, carrying the Timberwolves on their path to making history.
Randle’s performance against the Thunder featured three assists and notably no turnovers, a stark contrast to his five turnovers in another recent game. This degree of play highlights the contradictory nature of his contributions—genius at times, but handcuffed by mistakes on execution at others.
Against the Golden State Warriors, Randle took his game to another level during that second round of the playoffs. He scored an unimpeachable average of 25.2 points on scintillating 53.3% shooting over five games. Along with his scoring, he added 6.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. His cumulative offensive output puts him right alongside Kevin Garnett in Timberwolves history. Together, they are the only players to average at least 25 points and seven assists in a playoff series.
Randle’s professional path has been a bumpy one. In one particular game, he went off for 20 points in the first quarter alone. Still, he had a rough go in the second as he scored just eight points on five attempts. This inconsistency calls into question his ability to weather that momentum and carry it through games.
On the defensive end, Randle was an absolute gamechanger. He even found a way to limit LeBron James to 25.4 points on 48.9% shooting in the Timberwolves’ five-game shocker of the Los Angeles Lakers. In the later series, Randle took off, averaging 22.6 points per game. He added 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, emphasizing his multi-faceted talent on both sides of the floor.
Now as the postseason has developed, Randle has often traded buckets like his Timberwolves teammate Anthony Edwards in explosive scoring binges. The two players each scored more than 20 points in all eight playoff games. Their big time-game performances helped lead the Timberwolves to an incredible run through the playoffs.
During the regular season, Randle averaged an impressive 18.4 points on an eye-popping 51.9% shooting clip. He added 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest. His dependable scoring became an important stabilizing force for the Timberwolves. It was his playmaking ability that truly allowed the team to assert itself as a serious contender.
Through the rollercoaster, Randle hasn’t lost sight of needing to improve his game. “I think it was just a lot of me just spectating,” he admitted while reflecting on inconsistent performances. He noted his responsibility in driving the team’s success: “I’ll always take the responsibility for myself.”
Randle’s partner in crime, Edwards, emphasized Randle’s commitment to improvement. “He just said, ‘I’ll be ready and I’ll be better,’” Edwards recounted, highlighting Randle’s determination to refine his performance as the stakes rise.
Randle embraces the challenges of postseason basketball. He admits that he has much more to do. “But we got to learn me first,” he said frankly, highlighting his understanding of the balancing act between personal development and team demands.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch as Randle’s biggest supporter during this miserable campaign. Donte DiVincenzo remarked on this dynamic: “To be able to trust in the coach’s decision at that level of stature of player, it’s remarkable to see.” This goes to show you the faith the Knicks have in Randle’s ability to carry them further into the playoffs.
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