After Edwards shot the 3 with time winding down, Julius Randle could be seen on ESPN's cameras making his way towards the locker room. A review had held up the final inbounds play, but Randle was already on his way out of the tunnel, and he's been the subject of criticism for his early exit and body language during crunch time in Wednesday's game.
Timberwolves forward Julius Randle made his anticipated return to Madison Square Garden on Friday and reflected on his impactful five-year tenure with the Knicks.
Kendra Randle made a statement in her return to Madison Square Garden with a custom jacket supporting husband Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jalen Brunson had 26 points and Cam Payne scored all 18 of his points in a span of 4:17, but the Knicks couldn't keep up with the Timberwolves.
When Julius Randle signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2019, he joined a team that had just suffered its sixth consecutive losing season. The Knicks were fresh off of a 17-win campaign that matched the worst season in franchise history.
Even when the Timberwolves look like they're figuring it out with seven wins in 10 games, they revealed themselves as an unserious basketball team when they trailed the Warriors 34-12 after one quarter Wednesday night and wound up losing 116-115. It was the latest speed bump in a season full of inconsistencies.
The Knicks, meanwhile, were inefficient offensively without Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat in street clothes — though not in Eagles gear this time — while nursing a sprained thumb. Jalen Brunson scored 26 points but shot just 9-for-23 with five assists. No other Knick had 20 points.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots at the basket as Boston Celtics forwards Xavier Tillman (26) and Jayson Tatum (0) defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) AP
Friday’s game was a far cry from Dec. 19, when the Knicks dominated the Timberwolves in Minnesota, 133-107. That night, Edwards scored just 17 points on 16 shots, deferring to Randle, who was still acclimating to his new team after the trade.
For Julius Randle, the return to New York was "amazing." He was touched by the fans' reception but just as importantly helped secure a 116-99 road win for Minnesota. Teammate Anthony Edwards just concentrated on being "aggressive" and it showed with a 36-point,
Randle played a secondary role in the Timberwolves’ 116-99 win, taking a backseat in the spotlight as Anthony Edwards dazzled with 36 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.