The NBA playoffs are a time for stars to shine, but also a time for unsung heroes to emerge.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are set for their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Game 1 tipping off on Saturday. After a roller-coaster season, Minnesota might be able to find its groove under the brightest lights.
Last season, the Timberwolves were one of the stories of the playoffs, sweeping the Phoenix Suns and knocking off the Denver Nuggets in seven games en route to their first conference finals in 20 years. However, the Timberwolves couldn’t get past Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
This year, Anthony Edwards’ team will face Doncic’s Lakers to begin its run. Of course, any run past the first round for a sixth seed is typically considered a success. For the Timberwolves to find that kind of success, they will need a key player to step up in big moments.
After trading Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason, the Timberwolves were left without a second star. With the playoffs here, Minnesota will need Julius Randle to play at an All-Star level to have any chance at winning, according to a recent ESPN article from Zach Kram.
Randle has had a rocky tenure in Minnesota thus far after a surprising trade ended his stint in New York. This season, he has averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
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His scoring average is at its worst since he was a Laker and his rebounding has set a new career-worst. Considering how Randle has clearly taken a step back compared to his past couple of seasons, it will be instrumental to the Timberwolves’ chances for him to step up.
However, Randle has been known for shrinking in the big moments in the playoffs, and for his team to have any chance against the Lakers, he will need to overcome his postseason woes.
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