Julius Randle delivered a statement performance in Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors, powering the Minnesota Timberwolves to a commanding 117-93 victory that evened the series at 1-1.
The power forward finished with 24 points and 11 assists, but his impact went beyond the box score as he etched his name in franchise history.
Julius Randle became the first Timberwolves player since Kevin Garnett in 2004 to record a 20/5/10 game in the playoffs.
The last time a Minnesota player achieved such a statistical feat was when Garnett posted 28 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in the Western Conference Finals on May 27, 2004.
This historic performance continues Randle’s impressive run with Minnesota since joining the team in the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks before the season.
And it sparks conversation on how Randle fits perfectly in Minnesota.
Lou Williams, Randle’s former teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers, believes the physical forward has finally found the ideal basketball environment.
“We’re talking about Madison Square Garden, remember he started with the Lakers. You got to find the organization, the group of guys, the way you play and match it,” Williams explained on the Run It Back Podcast.
“He’s a bully type of player, and you got to find the rhythm. And Minnesota is there for him. The New York Knicks, Lakers, they weren’t Randle’s style of basketball team,” Williams continued.
While Randle’s season averages of 18.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 7.1 rebounds might not match his career-best numbers, his efficiency has reached new heights with the Timberwolves.
His effective field goal percentage climbed to 54.2% this season—the highest mark in the last five years of his career—suggesting that Minnesota’s system has unlocked a more efficient version of the former All-Star.
Minnesota’s physical, aggressive style perfectly complements Randle’s preference for dominating the paint and embracing contact.
“Now in Minnesota, he got a lot of pit bulls around him. He got other guys that like his style of play.
“So, I think that’s more important than anything. Opposed to the name in the front of the jersey, it’s really the style of play,” Williams observed.
As the series shifts to Minnesota, Randle’s newfound comfort with the Timberwolves could spell trouble for the Warriors, who must now contend with a rejuvenated star playing the best basketball of his career.
