Timberwolves' Julius Randle: Shooting woes in season-ending loss
Rotowire
Randle finished with three points (1-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and one assist over 24 minutes during Friday's 139-109 loss to San Antonio in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Randle scored a season-low three points in Friday's do-or-die matchup, failing to reach double figures for the first time since March 22. The star forward struggled with efficiency in the Western Conference Semifinals, during which he shot just 34.2 percent from the field while averaging 12.8 points per game. Overall, Randle had a productive regular season for Minnesota, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.0 minutes per game across 79 regular-season outings.
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Timberwolves' Julius Randle: Double-doubles in defeat
Rotowire
Randle accumulated 17 points (6-17 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 126-97 loss to the Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Randle struggled from three-point range but was still one of four Minnesota players to score at least 16 points. He has shot just 21.1 percent from downtown through five first-round games and has been held to just 12 points in three of them. Still, the veteran forward led the Timberwolves in rebounds Tuesday, securing his second double-double of the postseason.
Timberwolves' Julius Randle: Struggles in Game 3 loss
Rotowire
Randle accumulated 12 points (3-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 31 minutes during Friday's 115-108 loss to the Spurs in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Randle struggled to get involved offensively, with his first bucket not coming until midway through the second quarter and his next make not arriving until the fourth. He finished as a minus-11 in the seven-point loss, and this marked his first game of the postseason without an assist. Randle will need to be better in Game 4 if the Timberwolves hope to avoid falling into a 1-3 series hole.
Randle produced 12 points (4-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 27 minutes during Wednesday's 133-95 loss to the Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Randle had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the 104-102 win over the Spurs to claim Game 1. However, it was a different story in Game 2, with the Spurs cruising to an easy win to tie the series up at one game each. With Anthony Edwards (knee) still working his way back to form after missing time, Randle may be needed to stay more involved offensively if the Timberwolves hope to keep the series competitive. Both clubs will head to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday night.
Timberwolves' Julius Randle: Paces Minnesota in Game 1 win
Rotowire
Randle recorded 21 points (8-20 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 41 minutes in Monday's 104-102 win over the Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Randle didn't deliver his most efficient performance, though he still led all players in scoring with Anthony Edwards on a minutes restriction. Randle also tied the team high in rebounds, securing his first double-double since March 3. The veteran forward and the Timberwolves will now look to take a 2-0 series lead in Wednesday's Game 2 in San Antonio.
Timberwolves' Julius Randle: Scores team-high 27 points in loss
Rotowire
Randle supplied 27 points (8-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Monday's 125-113 loss to Denver in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Randle carried a heavy load in the loss, as below-average totals from the rest of the starting five built up an unrecoverable deficit. Unlike previous games in the series, Minnesota's defense was unable to restrict Nikola Jokic's production to an acceptable level, and the rest of the Nuggets provided balance behind the big man's masterful triple-double. Randle was able to find room on offense and did most of the work inside, while Rudy Gobert was rendered completely ineffective with only three points. The Timberwolves have successfully neutralized the Nuggets in the series, but they will need continued production from Randle and better defensive effort to close out the series on Thursday.
Timberwolves' Julius Randle: Ejected in final seconds
Rotowire
Randle was ejected from Saturday's Game 4 win over the Nuggets with 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. He finished with 15 points (6-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 32 minutes.
Nikola Jokic went straight at Jaden McDaniels after the forward scored a layup in the final seconds when the game was already decided, and the star big man was ejected following a fight that got several players from both teams involved. That includes Randle, who was ejected for trying to go at Jokic before coaches, referees and players broke up the fight. It remains to be seen if the league will take any disciplinary action toward Randle ahead of Game 5, which will be played Monday in Denver. From a fantasy perspective, Randle didn't have his best game, but he may need to handle a higher usage rate in Game 5, particularly if Anthony Edwards (knee) is unable to play.
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