The Minnesota Timberwolves narrowly lost Game 4 to the Oklahoma City Thunder by just two points, a surprising result given their two leading scorers struggled offensively throughout much of the contest. Star player Anthony Edwards managed only 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, taking just two shots in the first half and committing as many turnovers as made baskets. Similarly, Julius Randle experienced a tough night, scoring only five points on 1-of-7 shooting, contributing to Minnesota’s offensive challenges in the game.
Randle and Edwards’ Offensive Issues Highlighted
Anthony Edwards’ limited shot attempts mirrored his underwhelming performance in Game 1, where he faced heavy defensive pressure from the Thunder. Julius Randle’s difficulties were also pronounced, marking the second time this postseason, alongside Game 2, that he recorded single-digit scoring and appeared out of rhythm. This was uncharacteristic given Randle’s recent playoff resurgence and critical role in Minnesota’s run to the conference finals.
Bench Effort Nearly Overcomes Star Player Struggles
With both Edwards and Randle struggling, the Timberwolves’ bench stepped up and nearly secured a victory. Despite this additional support, the burden of poor offensive nights from two key players proved too difficult to overcome against a strong Oklahoma City team, leaving Minnesota just short in the tightly contested matchup.
Randle Reflects Honestly on His Performance
After the game, Julius Randle candidly described his offensive struggles as being largely passive during the contest. He admitted,
“To be honest, I think it was just a lot of me just spectating,”
Randle said.
“I gotta figure out a way to get myself involved in actions. I think I didn’t take my first shot in the second half until like 20 seconds in the third quarter. So it’s like, I gotta figure out a way to get in position to be more aggressive rather than standing, spectating or trying to crash the glass. Or I can find other little things to do as well.”
Looking Ahead: The Importance of Rebounding in Game 5
Randle’s use of the phrase “spectating” echoes his own description after his struggles in Game 2, raising hopes that he will respond with renewed intensity as he did following that performance. In Game 3, both Randle and Edwards delivered strong offensive efforts that helped Minnesota secure their only victory in the series so far. However, to extend the contest, they will need a similar display of aggression and efficiency in the upcoming Game 5 in Oklahoma City, despite anticipating tough defensive resistance from the Thunder.
Maintaining Momentum Amid Postseason Pressure
For Julius Randle, this series marks a critical juncture in what has been an impressive individual playoff run. Over the past six weeks, he has changed the narrative around his postseason impact, emerging as a key figure for the Timberwolves. Now, he faces the challenge of concluding this run on a strong note, aiming to contribute more actively rather than remaining a bystander in critical moments.