Randle’s Revival for the T-Wolves
Introduction to the Game
The Timberwolves made quite an entrance in the Western Conference finals, even if their 143-101 victory in Game 3 was a late arrival. With Minnesota’s lead at 34 points late in the third quarter, the Target Center crowd was roaring with an intensity sustained from start to finish on Saturday night.
Julius Randle lowered his head to drive into the lane with a determination that was missing in the last game, muscling his 6-foot-9, 255-pound frame against slender Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before pulling up and draining a 10-footer.
The Turning Point
After the Thunder called timeout, Randle strutted to midcourt, raised his arms and shouted repeatedly at the frenzied fans: “We home now!” Randle’s performance was the epitome of the response. “The home energy had me going today,” said Randle, who had 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting with four rebounds, three assists — and no turnovers.
Overcoming Disappointment
After averaging 24 points on 52% shooting over the 11 games of these NBA playoffs for Minnesota, Randle disappeared in Game 2 with six points on 2-for-11 shooting with four turnovers. With Oklahoma City in full control, coach Chris Finch kept him on the bench for the entire fourth quarter. Randle was disappointed by the decision, to be sure, but he’s got too strong of a relationship with Finch — dating to the 2018-19 season with New Orleans when Finch was an assistant — and too much of a grasp of the bigger picture to let any negative emotion cloud his demeanor.
A Vital Pep Talk
“Obviously as a competitor I want to play, but it’s all about the team and I wanted to make sure that I came in the same if it’s a good day or if it’s a bad day,” Randle said. Finch and Randle spoke at the morning shootaround, but there wasn’t any tension to clear. However, the star player actually received a pep talk from a vital teammate before the coach. Anthony Edwards, who sparked the Wolves with 30 points in 30 minutes before sitting for the fourth quarter with the game well in hand, was the first one to approach Randle in Oklahoma City on Thursday night with an encouraging word.
The Road to Revival
“He was like, ‘Bro, just shake that. Like, you good. Don’t worry about it,’" Randle said. "And as the flight went on, I was able to start smiling and laughing again while we’re playing cards and all that stuff. So he’s very mature and very in-tune with the team, and as a leader of the team you need that.” Randle rediscovered his aggression in Game 3 — and his fadeaway. He knocked down a 16-footer and an 11-footer early, part of a revival of the success the Wolves had in the paint in the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs before slamming into the Thunder’s league-best defense in the first two games of this series.
Conclusion
The Timberwolves’ victory in Game 3 marked a significant turnaround, with Randle’s performance being a key factor. The team’s ability to bounce back from a disappointing Game 2 was largely due to the support and encouragement from teammates, particularly Anthony Edwards. As the series continues, the Timberwolves will look to build on this momentum and make a strong push for the championship.
FAQs
- Q: What was the score of the Timberwolves’ Game 3 win?
A: The Timberwolves won 143-101. - Q: Who gave Julius Randle a pep talk after Game 2?
A: Anthony Edwards gave Randle a pep talk, encouraging him to shake off the bad game. - Q: What was Randle’s performance like in Game 3?
A: Randle had 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting with four rebounds, three assists, and no turnovers.
