The Minnesota Timberwolves' 2024-25 season came to an end on Wednesday after the team lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
For the second straight year, the Timberwolves lost in the conference finals in five games. Minnesota fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 conference finals.
After Game 5, a dejected Julius Randle spoke to the media about his emotions and mindset moving forward.
“Once that buzzer sounds and you’re just able to feel everything, it hurts,” Randle said, via The Athletic. "It hurts. So, really, that’s where I’m at right now. It’s almost like a grieving stage of the season and it hurts, really. But we’ll be back.”
Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle
Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle
Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
After playing well against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and the Golden State Warriors in the second round, Randle's numbers dropped against the Thunder.
The lefty averaged 17.4 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 48.3% from the field and 47.8% from 3 against OKC.
In 10 games against the Lakers and Warriors, Randle averaged 23.9 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 50.9% from the field and 34.5% from 3.
“Super disappointing,” Randle said. “But just the series in general, I’m disappointed. I feel like we’re a better team than what we showed. So, a lot of motivation going into the summer, for sure.”
Randle has a player option worth $31 million to return to the Timberwolves next season. The former New York Knicks star can pick up his player option or decline it and enter unrestricted free agency.
In his first season with the Timberwolves, Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists. The three-time All-Star shot 48.5% overall, 34.4% from beyond the arc and 80.6% from the free-throw line.