BBNBA: Randle's 23 points help Timberwolves eliminate Lakers

The first upset of the 2025 NBA playoffs is in the books, in part due to a former Kentucky Wildcat. Julius Randle had 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal in Game 5 of Minnesota’s first-round matchup against Los Angeles. The Timberwolves beat the Lakers 103-96, eliminating them from the playoffs.

After the game, Minnesota head coach Chris Finch talked about Randle’s play this series: “Julius Randle was absolutely huge in this series, another guy who has had a lot of unfair criticism in his career. He was outstanding at both ends of the floor, and we don’t win this series without Julius. He was consistently great every night.”

He also wore a Kentucky Starter jacket after a game, too, so that was awesome.

I wonder if Lakers’ executives are second-guessing that Anthony Davis trade now. Sure, Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 28 points, but Los Angeles’s lack of interior size, the very thing Davis called out as a team need before the trade, ultimately let them down. Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert had 24 (yes, 24) rebounds on Wednesday as he had no meaningful competition down low.

Former ‘Cat Jarred Vanderbilt did what he could, but he is more of a defensive specialist than anything else. He had two points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal in his 19 minutes on the court. In the end, his former team escorted him out of the postseason.

Kevin Knox and Reed Sheppard get extended playing time in Game 5

Julius Randle (and hopefully Rob Dillingham if his ankle heals in time) will now await the winner between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, another series that could feature an upset. In Game 5 on Wednesday, the Rockets staved off elimination, routing the Warriors 131-116 in a game that wasn’t as close as the 15-point margin made it seem.

Former ‘Cat Kevin Knox scored a career playoff high of 14 points in an extended role off the bench in the blowout. Reed Sheppard also got some time on the court, but went scoreless in seven minutes of action. He did, however, come away with two steals.

Game 6 will take place in San Francisco on Friday.

BBNBA Statistics for 4/30/2025

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Julius Randle (MIN)	103-96 W vs. LAL	23	8-16 (1-6)	5	4	1	0	3	-2	32
Kevin Knox (GSW)	116-131 L vs. HOU	14	5-13 (1-4)	4	2	0	1	0	+14	18
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)	96-103 L vs. MIN	2	0-1 (0-0)	7	3	1	0	1	+3	19
Reed Sheppard (HOU)	131-116 W vs. GSW	0	0-0 (0-0)	1	1	2	1	1	-15	7
Rob Dillingham (MIN)	103-96 W vs. LAL	DNP-Ankle

Tonight in the NBA Playoffs

Eastern Conference First Round | Game 6 | NYK leads 3-2
7:30 (TNT) | (3) Knicks (Towns) @ (6) Pistons

Western Conference First Round | Game 6 | DEN tied 3-2
10:00 (TNT) | (4) Clippers @ (5) Nuggets (Murray)