Julius Randle speaks following the Minnesota Timberwolves losing game five against the San Antonio Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs took a 3-2 series lead on Tuesday, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 126-97 in game five.
The Spurs got off to a hot start, leading 26-14 with five minutes to go in the first quarter thanks to a scoring explosion from Victor Wembanyama. The Wolves clawed back, cutting the lead to 34-30 by the end of the quarter.
San Antonio took control once again in the second, pushing the lead to 18 with three minutes to go in the quarter, but Minnesota got the lead down to 12 by halftime. The Timberwolves look like a new team in the second half with Anthony Edwards leading the way.
Edwards and Timberwolves pushed early in the third quarter to tie the game at 61, bring about a whole new game after the poor start.
The wheels came off for Minnesota once the game was tied thanks in part of Jaden McDaniels picking up his fourth foul and being subbed out.
San Antonio went on a 30-12 run to end the third quarter, effectively putting the game away.
Julius Randle Speaks
After the game, Randle was asked what went wrong for the team after they battled back to tie the game.
"Just didn't have the discipline to do what was working. Offense is tough to come by. When we find some success, we have to keep with it and have the discipline and patience to do it," he said.
The fourth foul on McDaniels and having to sit him hurt Minnesota on both ends of the floor. McDaniels was a +9 in the five minutes he was on the floor in the third quarter, scoring five points to go along with two rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
McDaniels is arguably Minnesota's second most important player behind Edwards as his physical defense helps set the tone and he's a guy who can create offense for himself when called upon.
Julius Randle Struggles
Randle is viewed as the second best player on the Timberwolves, but his struggles continued in game five.
After a strong performance in game one that helped Minnesota steal homecourt, Randle has yet to find a similar form.
In game five, he finished with 17 points, ten rebounds,and one assist on 6-17 shooting and 0-4 from three.
He has failed to score 20+ points since game one, and in the five games this series, he is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 36% from the field and 21% from three.