Just four nights ago from this writing, the Minnesota Timberwolves were riding high on a season-high five-game winning streak. Holding a 27-21 record, they were looking at a five-game homestand at Target Center upcoming that could ideally help them stack more wins, starting with a matchup with the Washington Wizards, losers of 16 games in a row.
But when the news that Julius Randle would be sidelined with his groin injury broke, it changed everything for the Wolves. Not having Anthony Edwards for the Wizards game obviously affected the outcome more than anything, but Randle's absence has undoubtedly played a part in Minnesota heading home with losses in their last two games.
Let's be very clear: the home games against the Wizards and Sacramento Kings were both games the Timberwolves should have won. One was a matchup with the worst team in basketball. That game you should probably win even if your top three players are all out. The other was a game against a team that just made a roster-altering trade, playing without their second-best player at worst.
Since Julius Randle has been out with a groin injury, the Wolves have suffered home losses to Washington and Sacramento. Wolves fans won't want to hear it, but they miss him right now.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 4, 2025
The Timberwolves need Julius Randle to win
Both contests were opportunities for Minnesota to increase distance between themselves and the teams beneath them in the standings, and they missed out on doing so. It is stretches like these that ultimately determine where you land when the standings are finalized at the end of the regular season in April.
In both these losses, the Timberwolves clearly missed Julius Randle. Not having that cog in their offense prevented them from looking as comfortable as they have been on that end recently, and his switchability was missed on defense.
What does this tell us? Well, perhaps that Minnesota is smart to keep Randle around past the trade deadline if they still want to pursue a playoff spot this season. It is not a coincidence that this two-game losing streak has coincided directly with the absence of Julius.