“We got no choice. So, you know, we got to give it our all and go from there,” said Julius Randle, when asked by a reporter if he could see the Timberwolves return to ‘desperate’ mode for Game 5, just like they did in Game 3. All the praise that the Timberwolves’ power forward had earned after his memorable performance in Game 3 went away after the loss in the next game. After all, the close 128-126 defeat could have been avoided had Randle scored more than 5 points through 1-7 (14.3%) field goals, 0-3 (0.0%) 3-pointers, and 3-4 (75.0%) free throws. Therefore, Game 5 is the player’s redemption matchup, in which he cannot afford to falter. While we don’t know how we will perform, we fortunately know that he will at least be healthy enough to give it his all.
According to the Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report, as highlighted by ESPN, Julius Randle’s name is nowhere to be found. This means that, unless an emergency occurs, Randle will be fully available to take on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. in the coming hours. It also means that the pressure of the post-season has not caused the player’s groin injury to relapse.
Julius Randle had sustained a right adductor strain during a matchup against the Utah Jazz back in late January. A week later, it was announced that he would be sidelined at least through the All-Star break with the strained right groin. The player ended up being absent for 13 games in February, before finally returning in an early March game against the Phoenix Suns. Randle remained questionable for 2 more games after that, before being finally cleared of his ailment. Now, he remains clear of that ailment and all others.
Jan 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA;Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, no other players are declared out of the upcoming game. The same, however, cannot be said about the Oklahoma City Thunder. After all, they still have to continue dealing with Nikola Topic’s absence. The 19-year-old Serbian had undergone a successful left ACL procedure back in July 2024, which caused him to miss the entirety of the 2024-25 season. Aka his rookie season! The player had begun practicing and was taking part in light shooting drills. Unfortunately, his condition is still not good enough to allow him to compete.
In light of these updates, neither team will have to make adjustments to their starting lineup.
What will the starting lineup and depth chart for the Timberwolves-OKC game look like?
Julius Randle’s postseason run against the Oklahoma City Thunder has been a roller coaster, as the player has been inconsistent with his performances. He dropped 28 points against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. in Game 1, 6 points in Game 2, 24 points in Game 3, and then 5 points in Game 4. If this is a pattern, then one hopes the player performs well in Game 5. Otherwise, his and his squad’s hopes of reaching the NBA Finals, after having come so far, will be gone.
If Julius Randle once again underperforms, however, then Chris Finch will have to once again depend on the bench players, like Game 4. Furthermore, Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley will be the starters on whom the offensive effort will fall. In light of this, the starting lineup for the Minnesota Timberwolves is expected to look like this:
POSITION
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
5TH
PG
Mike Conley
Donte DiVincenzo
Rob Dillingham (OUT)
Anthony Edwards
Bones Hyland
SG
Anthony Edwards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Donte DiVincenzo
Terrence Shannon Jr.
Jaylen Clark
SF
Jaden McDaniels
Terrence Shannon Jr.
Jaylen Clark
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Donte DiVincenzo
PF
Julius Randle
Naz Reid
Jaden McDaniels
Joe Ingles
Leonard Miller
C
Rudy Gobert
Naz Reid
Luke Garza
Julius Randle
Leonard Miller
Similarly, given the update for the Oklahoma City Thunder, their starting lineup will look like this:
POSITION
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
5TH
PG
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Ajay Mitchell
Alex Caruso
Nikola Topic (OUT)
SG
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
Cason Wallace
Isaiah Joe
Aaron Wiggins
SF
Jalen Williams
Isaiah Joe
Aaron Wiggins
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
PF
Chet Holmgren
Aaron Wiggins
Jalen Williams
Kenrich Williams
Dillon Jones
C
Isaiah Hartenstein
Jaylin Williams
Chet Holmgren
Kenrich Williams
Ousmane Dieng
The Minnesota Timberwolves or the Oklahoma City Thunder? Who will you be rooting for? Let us know in the comments section down below.
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