Julius Randle

Feelgood, redemption stories are what keeps the NBA’s ecosystem spinning, and during the 2025 postseason, few players have written chapters rivaling that of Julius Randle during Year One with the Minnesota Timberwolves. A man of his word after promising that 2024-25’s saga would be his career’s best, Randle walked the talk, overwhelming the Golden State Warriors’ resistance through spot-ups — accompanied by the occasional dance move — transition and-ones, and everything in between. Keeping a blue-colored foot on the gas pedal until Game Five’s finish, Randle’s fourth quarter reel illustrated many of his best traits, as the three-time All-Star used a pick-and-roll to unlock his path for an acrobatic, double-clutch reverse. Described by his all-world running mate as “a whole different person” after returning to the wolfpack in early-March, Randle rewrote his postseason saga, earning his first-ever Conference Finals appearance through a 25.2-point scoring in the West Semis. Motivated to, as he put it, prove that he was a winner, Randle did just that in May 14, 2025’s closeout, erupting for 29 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), eight rebounds, five assists, and two 3-pointers.