After arriving from the New York Knicks via a blockbuster trade, the sometimes clunky style of play that Randle brought to the table didn’t help his approval rating as he tried to find his niche with the Timberwolves. It felt like a marriage that was well on its way to a divorce.

And Randle, as usual, got a big shout-out from his biggest supporter, his wife, Kendra Randle. When the NBA on ESPN account sent out a message on X about Randle, writing, "JULIUS RANDLE WENT OFF TO ELIMINATE THE WARRIORS," Kendra Randle responded.

A mid-season injury changed everything for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Right when they turned a corner with their retooled roster, winning 5 games in a

Steve Kerr was not expecting Julius Randle to author his Warriors downfall. Randle had two disappointing postseasons with the Knicks as he battled injuries. When he was traded to the Timberwolves this offseason, many felt the Knicks had won the deal while landing Karl Anthony-Towns.

Minnesota is 8-2 in the playoffs and back in the Western Conference Finals. Julius Randle is a big reason why.

Minnesota needed someone to stabilize the ship to get across the finish line first in enemy waters. As has often been the case over the past couple months, that person was Julius Randle.

Fast forward a few months, and Minnesota is headed back to the conference finals in no small part because of Randle, who continued the best stretch of basketball of his postseason -- and probably professional -- life with 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting on Wednesday as the Wolves eliminated the Warriors in five games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be hosting Golden State Warriors in Game 5 in the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday, May 14th at the Target Center in Minneapolis.