Julius Randle Makes History in Timberwolves' Game 2 Victory
Julius Randle of the Timberwolves duplicates Kevin Garnett's performance with exceptional statistics in Game 2.
The pressure was high on the Minnesota Timberwolves to win Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors, especially after their dismal performance in Game 1 when Stephen Curry had to exit with a hamstring injury. But Julius Randle took the challenge head-on, promising to step up his game.
In Game 2, Randle delivered a commanding performance. With Anthony Edwards dealing with an injury scare, Randle shouldered the responsibility and dominated the game from start to finish. He scored 24 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 11 assists, shooting an impressive 10-17 from the field, leading the Timberwolves to a 117-93 victory and tying the series at 1-1.
This performance marked a significant milestone in franchise history since Kevin Garnett last achieved such a stat line back in 2004. On May 27, 2004, Garnett recorded 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, a game the Timberwolves subsequently lost.
Since Garnett's time with the team, only a few players have had the opportunity to fill up the stat sheet in the playoffs for the Timberwolves. However, with four consecutive playoff appearances under their belt, the Timberwolves might finally stand a chance at making it to a second consecutive Western Conference Finals, especially with Randle playing the way he did in Game 2.
Randle Silences Critics with Stellar Play
Randle's career playoff statistics with the Minnesota Timberwolves have been exceptional, averaging 19.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in the postseason[4]. During the 2025 playoffs, he recorded the first postseason triple-double of his career in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors, with 24 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and three steals[1][3]. This achievement marks the first time a Timberwolves player has posted a playoff triple-double since Garnett in 2004 and the first in franchise history to have 10 or more assists in consecutive playoff games[2].
In addition to his triple-double performance, Randle scored a playoff career-high 31 points against the Warriors in 2025, showcasing his versatile skill set[5]. Randle's playoff contributions with Minnesota demonstrate a well-rounded game involving scoring, rebounding, and facilitating, emphasizing his crucial role in the Timberwolves' postseason success[1][2][4].
The Timberwolves' decision to acquire Randle as the centerpiece of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade was widely criticized. But Randle's performance in the playoffs has already proven that he is an asset to the team. With each impressive game, he continues to silence his critics.
With Julius Randle's playoff triple-double in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors, he has surpassed expectations and silenced the critics following the trade that brought him to the Timberwolves. As the team prepares for the remainder of the playoffs, Randle's impressive odds of maintaining this form could greatly impact the Timberwolves' chances of advancing to the NBA's Western Conference Finals, a milestone not achieved since Kevin Garnett's time with the franchise.
