The words are already being written: "Julius Randle revealed his true colors with a putrid Game 2." It's the easiest of leaps to make, as Randle was a historically poor postseason performer entering 2025 and looked like his former self during an atrocious second showing in the Western Conference Finals.
If Randle is going to bounce back from Game 2, however, he must not lose perspective and allow a false narrative to derail his sensational postseason.
Randle finished Game 2 with six points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal on 2-of-11 shooting from the field and an 0-of-3 mark from beyond the arc. It was easily his worst performance of the postseason thus far, and while it was a statistical outlier, it's certain to spawn mention of his past shortcomings.
In an NBA that's built on reputations—whether they're accurate or not—Randle is unfortunately about to endure the wrath of inaccuracy.
Randle entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs with 15 career postseason games played. During that time, he shot just 34.4 percent from the field and 28.3 percent from beyond the arc, instantly developing the reputation of a player who crumbles under pressure.
Randle has been nothing short of sensational in 2025, however, and must not lose his confidence over one game and a dated narrative.
Julius Randle has been excellent in 2025—and one bad game doesn't change that
Randle entered Game 2 averaging 24.3 points, 6.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 three-point field goals made on .522/.393/.883 shooting during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. He'd scored at least 20 points in nine of his 11 appearances, twice exceeding 10 assists.
Randle has also played the best defense of his career, locking down All-NBA players as Minnesota has made a stunning run to the Western Conference Finals as the No. 6 seed.
Randle scored 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting when Minnesota closed out the Los Angeles Lakers in Round 1. He then shot just 4-of-11 from the field in Game 1 of the Timberwolves' second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, but he legitimately dominated the series the rest of the way.
Randle's stat lines during that time: 24 points and 11 assists; 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds; 31 points; and 29 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Randle obliterated 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team honoree Draymond Green in a head-to-head matchup most expected him to lose. He also made Jimmy Butler a non-factor with his defense, holding the two-time NBA Finalist to 1-of-13 shooting from the field and a silent 0-of-3 mark from distance.
Randle planted the seeds for defensive excellence in the first round when he forced LeBron James to shoot 10-of-25 from the field and 3-of-13 from beyond the arc when operating as the primary defender.
As if that weren't enough, Randle posted 28 points and eight rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. All of this should've drowned out the noise and limited any nonsensical rhetoric over what a single poor performance supposedly revealed.
The headlines and talk show segments are coming, however, and Randle will need to steel his resolve if the Timberwolves hope to bounce back in Game 3.