BBNBA: Randle dominant in Wolves’ series-clinching win series over Warriors

The Minnesota Timberwolves are on their way to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, thanks largely to Julius Randle. The former Wildcat, fresh to the scene in Minnesota this season, has been on a rampage in the playoffs, and he kept that same energy in Game 5. His 29 points, eight rebounds, and five assists might not have been the triple-double performance he put on in Game 3, but it was good enough to lead his team in scoring and help secure the 121-110 win.

Randle also spurred an internet meme when his celebration down the court evoked an unimpressed headshake from an injured Steph Curry on the bench. Randle was a full-on vibe all game, smiling, dancing, and interacting with the crowd all game.

In his postgame interview, Randle took a subtle jab at Golden State, Denver, and other playoff teams who made desperate moves late in the season, “We didn’t do anything at the end of the regular season as far as trades or firing coaches. We just stuck together…and I’m super proud of the team who stepped up in some kind of way.”

Randle and the Timberwolves will now await a matchup with either fellow Kentucky alumuni Jamal Murray or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, depending on who emerges from the Nuggets and Thunder’s competitive series. SGA and crew currently hold a 3-2 lead, and they will look to close out that series tonight in Denver.

Towns, Knicks drop Game 5 in Boston

Karl-Anthony Towns looked to take a page out of the Julius Randle playbook and execute the gentleman’s sweep over the Boston Celtics, however, he and the Knicks will have to wait at least a couple more days before celebrating a birth in the Eastern Conference Finals. Everyone thought Boston would lack the firepower to extend these series with Jayson Tatum sidelined for the foreseeable future due to the dreaded Achilles tear, but his teammates refused to go quietly into the night.

The Celtics defended their home court in Game 5 on Wednesday, getting the 127-102 win. Luke Kornet was a major contributor to the victory, coming away with 10 points and seven blocks, which tied for the most blocks in a game in these 2025 playoffs.

If Luke Kornet sounds like a name from the past, it is because it is. Kornet was the awkward 7-footer who played for Vanderbilt against the likes of Tyler Ulis, the Harrison Twins, and a slew of other Kentucky greats during his four years in Nashville. Kornett had a decent senior year, but it is wild that he is an impact player on a playoff team some 10 years later. Respect.

Karl-Anthony Towns, much more of a household name, had 19 points and eight rebounds in the loss. After the game, he said, “Hopefully the disappointment leads to more motivation, better energy.”

The Knicks will get the chance to bring that increased determination to Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

BBNBA Statistics for 5/14/2025

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Julius Randle (MIN)	121-110 W vs. GSW	29	13-18 (2-6)	8	5	0	0	5	+4	43
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK)	102-127 L @ BOS	19	5-11 (1-3)	8	0	1	1	2	-20	29
Rob Dillingham (MIN)	121-110 W vs. GSW	DNP-Ankle
Kevin Knox (GSW)	110-121 L @ MIN	DNP-CD

Tonight in the NBA Playoffs

Western Conference Semifinals | Game 6 | OKC leads 3-2
8:30 (ESPN) | Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander, Wallace) @ Nuggets (Murray)

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