Julius Randle scores 14 in Nets home debut

Entering his 13th year in the NBA, the Nets will be Randle’s fifth team. Playing alongside Michael Porter Jr. for the first time, Randle helped lead the Nets to a 124-90 victory over the Hornets. He had 13 points, three assists and two threes in 18 minutes. Randle is coming off the board in the fifth round of fantasy drafts.

After two seasons in Minnesota, Randle is headed back to the Big Apple, albeit a different borough. While he did struggle during the Timberwolves’ second-round series against San Antonio, the veteran forward had a productive 2025-26 regular season. In 79 games, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 80.2 percent from the foul line. With the Nets in the midst of a rebuild, it’s fair to wonder if they won’t look to move Randle to another team. He can provide reliable top-75 fantasy value, especially in points leagues. Staying in Brooklyn could raise Randle’s ceiling, as was the case with Michael Porter Jr. Still, fantasy managers would also have to worry about the possibility of his minutes decreasing late in the season. As part of the trade, Minnesota will receive the rights to the 33rd overall pick in this week’s draft. Randle’s exit means Naz Reid will start consistently, raising his fantasy ceiling, and it also gives the Timberwolves the financial flexibility needed to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu.

After averaging 14.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting in the first five games, Randle saved his worst for last in Game 6. The veteran forward shot 1-of-6 from inside the arc and offered little production to compensate for the poor shooting. Randle is going into the final guaranteed year of his deal, with a player option for 2027-28, and these playoffs won’t do him any favors. During the regular season, Randle provided top-75 fantasy value, and he’s capable of doing the same next season.

While he finished with a respectable point total, most of Randle’s work was done after the outcome was no longer in doubt. Shooting 4-of-4 from the field, the Timberwolves forward scored nine points in the fourth quarter. The first three quarters are a concern, especially with Randle offering limited production since scoring 21 points in Game 1. With the Timberwolves’ season on the line in Friday’s Game 6, they’ll need more consistent energy and production from Randle.

McDaniels shot 3-of-8 from beyond the arc in Game 3, but he had a brutal night from two. The Timberwolves’ forward made two of his 14 two-point attempts in one of the worst performances of his postseason career. McDaniels did record a complete stat line, but with Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) out and Julius Randle (12 points, six rebounds and one steal) also struggling, the Timberwolves don’t have much margin for error against the Spurs.

While he didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, Randle led six Timberwolves in double figures with 21 points. And with Anthony Edwards working his way back from a knee injury, Minnesota was bound to lean on Randle for more production, even if his efficiency suffered. The Timberwolves’ forward recorded his first double-double and third 20-point game of these playoffs. Minnesota will look to take a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday.

Shams notes that Minnesota’s medical staff will make a decision about Edwards’ availability closer to tip-off, but it sounds like the superstar is doing everything he can to get back on the court. If Edwards is sidelined again, Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels would see increased scoring responsibilities, while Ayo Dosunmu (calf) could enjoy a boost in usage if available.

Edwards will reportedly miss the start of the series, but a return could be on the horizon. His questionable game status is a positive for a Minnesota team that had to overcome several key backcourt injuries to end the first-round series against the Nuggets. Until the superstar guard officially returns, Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle should remain the primary scoring options for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu (calf), if available, would likely also see a heavy workload.

While Randle didn’t shoot efficiently, he consistently had the basketball in his hands down the stretch and helped lead Minnesota to the finish line and into the second round. He produced at all three levels as a scorer and was one of the team’s more productive passers throughout the game. Surely, Randle is capable of a greater stat line, but he was impactful in his 37 minutes on the floor. He’ll have a chance for stronger stats against the Spurs on Monday.

Dosunmu’s absence on Thursday is undoubtedly a major blow for the Timberwolves, who are already playing without Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles). Since being acquired ahead of February’s trade deadline, the fifth-year guard has been stellar for Minnesota on both ends of the floor. He’s become one of the team’s best and most reliable scorers during the postseason. Without Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle will likely be counted on for more offensive production.