'It's turned our season around' - Minnesota coach lauds Randle after starring in Game 3
Julius Randle has been credited with turning the Minnesota Timberwolves' season around, after his triple-double put them 2-1 to the good against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals.
The power forward played a starring role in the Wolves' 102-97 win at Chase Center on Saturday, with 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
Randle became only the second Minnesota player, after Kevin Garnett, to record a triple-double during the postseason.
Having also notched 24 points and 11 assists during Game 2, the 30-year-old is also the first player in franchise history with multiple 20-point, 10-assist games in a single playoff campaign.
Randle has hit form at an ideal time, and Wolves coach Chris Finch believes his contribution has been essential after they finished the regular season at 17-4, and are now 6-2 in postseason.
"It's really what's turned our season around; his playmaking, his decision-making, playing through on different spots of the floor," Finch said.
2 down. 2 to go. pic.twitter.com/skGJw4jNyk
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"He gives us almost another point guard out there. It's everything for us. It's been everything for our turnaround. It's everything for our team."
"I feel like I have just got a lot of different tools," Randle added. "It's really about using my mind and taking what the defense gives me. If they don't double-team me, score. If they double-team me, find my guys."
Randle collected five of his assists in the final quarter as Minnesota outscored Golden State 33-24.
Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 points for the Wolves, also paid tribute to his team-mate.
"He was incredible," Edwards said. "Finding everybody on cuts. Finding the open guy time after time, pushing the pace.
"That's what we asked of him, and he's been doing it at a high level. [I] can't ask for anything better. He's making the game a lot easier for me, so I appreciate having him here."