The Minnesota Timberwolves stormed back in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals with a 143-101 rout over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Julius Randle made sure the message was clear afterward: they’re not satisfied yet.
Speaking postgame, Randle emphasized Minnesota’s defensive commitment from the opening tip, saying, “We came with the right intensity on the defensive end and sustained it… for pretty much a full 48 minutes.”
Randle, who finished with 24 points after a disappointing Game 2, credited his mindset shift as the difference. “I just wanted to be aggressive,” he said. “That was really what it was.”
After being benched in the fourth quarter of Game 2, Randle had a bounce-back performance that helped Minnesota trim the series deficit to 2-1.
He spoke candidly about the conversation with head coach Chris Finch leading into Game 3. “Me as a competitor, obviously I want to play and do anything I can to help our team win,” Randle said. “It’s about the bounce-back—how you come back the next game.”
Randle also praised the energy rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. brought off the bench, calling his performance “a huge, huge boost.”
Asked about teammate Donte DiVincenzo’s recent shooting struggles, Randle was supportive. “We know how important Donte is for our team… it’s more than just his shooting,” he said, adding that his impact extends to defense, rebounding, and ball movement.
When asked about the emotional moment where he shouted “We’re at home now” during the game, Randle described how much the Target Center crowd fueled his energy. “It gave me a lot of juice and I just wanted to feed off of that energy,” he said.
The 30-year-old forward also reflected on the offseason trade that brought him to Minnesota. “I think as soon as I got to Minnesota and just, you know, drove around the area… it happened pretty quick. I was excited,” he said.
Music also played a role in his preparation. Randle credited a Jeezy playlist for helping him lock in mentally, saying, “I just knew I had to come out with the right mindset and just be aggressive.”
He spoke about playing alongside veteran guard Mike Conley, who he described as “a seamless fit” and someone who “makes the game really easy.”
Randle acknowledged his leadership responsibilities and the importance of setting a professional example, especially for younger teammates. “As hard as it is at times, you got to check your ego at the door,” he said.
Despite the dominant win, Randle kept things grounded. “We ain’t did nothing yet,” he said. “We won one game… but we haven’t done anything.”
Minnesota will look to tie the series in Game 4 on Monday before the series shifts back to Oklahoma City.
