It’s only been a few months since the Minnesota Timberwolves were nearly unanimously perceived as the losers of the blockbuster deal that saw Karl-Anthony Towns sent to the New York Knicks in exchange for a trade package headlined by Julius Randle.
The Knicks got off to a hot start in 2024-25, Towns’s combination of length and shot-making ability opened up the court and took pressure off of Jalen Brunson. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves stumbled out of the gate. Randle’s scoring mentality was too pronounced when he shrunk the court with his shot-selection.
It’s Time To Give Timberwolves’ Julius Randle His Flowers
On Jan. 30, Randle got hurt, missing about a month with a groin strain. In that time, the three-time All-Star was able to see what it was his team really needed from him. Or, as he put it (per ESPN Andscape’s Marc J. Spears):
“When I got injured those few weeks, I was able to see what the team needed, kind of see better how things are done and how I can best help us win games… It was just learning the teammates, learning the system, adjusting…”
The key adjustment that he made?
Making more plays for others.
After returning from his injury on March 2, Randle averaged 5.2 assists per game. To be fair, in the 48 previous games, Randle averaged 4.5 assists per game. However, Randle recorded five or more assists in 12 of the 21 games (57.1 percent) he played post-injury. For comparison, he recorded five or more assists in 19 of the previous 48 games (39.6 percent).
Thus, while the mean difference doesn’t seem significant, the frequency difference highlights Randle’s in-season revolution.
I mean what an absurd kickout pass from Julius Randle… wow pic.twitter.com/9hTjgye2iO
— Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) March 10, 2025
In fact, after Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, Wolves head coach Chris Finch told reporters: “It’s really what’s turned our season around — his playmaking, his decision-making, playing through on different spots of the floor. He gives us almost another point guard out there… It’s been everything for our turnaround. It’s everything for our team.” (h/t ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin)
Of note, the Timberwolves were 17-4 after Randle returned from injury.
Disproving The Doubters
Throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Randle has remained one of Minnesota’s most valuable players. In large part due to his performance, the Timberwolves ripped through the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, winning the series 4-1. They’re now up 2-1 against the Golden State Warriors in the semifinals.
In those eight games, Randle has averaged 22.4 points, 6.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per contest. He’s the only player outside of Anthony Edwards averaging 20-plus points per game. However, he’s shooting 47.7 percent from the field, whereas Edwards is shooting 42.9 percent from the field.
Furthermore, he’s now the first player in franchise history with multiple 20-point, 10-assist games in a single postseason (h/t ESPN Research). He and Hall of Fame forward-center Kevin Garnett are the only Timberwolves players to record a triple-double in the playoffs. Suffice it to say, a lot of people are starting to change their tune about the Dallas native.
Those who believed the trade would work out for Minnesota feel vindicated.
the only two players in Wolves history with a playoff triple-double. pic.twitter.com/avdcdSfm6c
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 12, 2025
Meanwhile, Randle’s just taking it all in stride.
“I feel like I just got a lot of different tools, you know what I mean?” he says. “It’s really about using my mind and taking what the defense gives me.”
Ju did everything last night. 💪 pic.twitter.com/rCh0YDcNyC
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 11, 2025
“Finding everybody on cuts. Finding the open guy time after time. Pushing the pace… He’s making the game a lot easier for me, so I appreciate having him here,” Edwards says.
“They put the big dude on him, he’s too slow. They put the little guy on him, he’s too strong,” Jaden McDaniels adds.
© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
