Julius Randle’s first signature moment as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves has arrived.
Randle sunk a stepback 3-pointer at the buzzer, enabling Minnesota to complete a 120-117 comeback win over the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on Sunday afternoon. The shot gave Randle 35 points in the game and spoiled a 44-point performance from Suns star guard Devin Booker.
JULIUS RANDLE WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 🔥
🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/OvbvF2nBpf
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 17, 2024
The Suns, playing without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, led by 16 points early in the second quarter and maintained their advantage for the majority of the game. They led by eight points with just over four minutes remaining after Booker nailed an 18-point jumper for his 44th point of the game. But he did not score thereafter, as Minnesota, led by Randle and Anthony Edwards, made a late rally.
After two free throws by Edwards tied the score at 117 with 46.1 seconds left, the Timberwolves withstood two Booker misses and three Suns offensive rebounds to get the ball back with 2.7 seconds remaining.
From there, Randle, who joined the Timberwolves in late September in a blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks involving Karl-Anthony Towns, did the rest. He caught the inbounds pass, shook former Timberwolf Josh Okogie with a stepback and sunk the 3.
The victory moves Minnesota to 8-6 on the season while dropping Phoenix to 9-5.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Nick Wosika / Imagn Images)
