The Oklahoma City Thunder are now just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals with a Game 4 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-126. This is the first time OKC has had a 3-1 lead since the 2016 Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
OKC managed to control every single aspect and minute of the game, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams making the hardwood floor their personal canvas. In response, the T-wolves’ Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle looked like rookie artists, blowing up their chances of reaching the finals yet again.
Turnovers, missed shots, just a general lack of their usual energy – Randle and ANT-MAN were guilty of it all. In fans’ eyes, they couldn’t believe it was the same Randle who was throwing thrillers up until a week ago.
Fans Rip Julius Randle Apart for an Abysmal Night Against the Thunder
Although the entire T-wolves squad disappointed fans, Randle in particular was a shock. Fans couldn’t help but rip him apart for his underwhelming performance. While some mentioned that this is the Randle they know of, some were pretty blunt in mentioning that he’s now back to his “default settings.”
Thats the Julius Randle I know pic.twitter.com/Z11TGX387i
— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) May 27, 2025
Some fans say that he’s a fraud: “LMFAOOOOOO HE IS A FRAUD OKC IN 5 ITS OVER”.
And then there are some who are once again questioning the Randle trade that happened a few months ago. This user was very straightforward with their sarcasm: “”Win-win trade” HAHAHAHAAH”. This is another fan who has similar “allegations” against Randle, “Playing like playing for the Knicks again”.
And then, of course, there are a few heartbroken Warriors fans who still can’t believe this is the same Randle who pushed them out of contention. This user shared a GIF of a sad, crying man, trying to wipe his tears away and then covering his face with his hands. They write, “Bro used all his magic up against us”.
Some fans even questioned whether he could really play well. One user wrote, “Randle only plays well against small ball. As soon as he plays a team with a real center, he’s back to his normal self.”
Randle Checked Out of the Game at a Crucial Stage
With roughly 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves’ coach, Chris Finch pulled Julius Randle out. Finch did not put him back until just the 14-second mark left on the clock, a move that was part of the offense-defense switch as T-wolves tried to push an attempt to make a comeback in those last moments.
Randle finished the game with five turnovers, five points, shooting 1-for-7 from the field and 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. No wonder fans are ripping him apart.
It was surprising for them since he just scored 28 points in the Conference Finals Game 1, followed by 6 points in the second, and then reaching the 24-point mark in the third game. Maybe his performance comes in waves.
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Game 4 saw him right back to the lower end of this wave, which is again surprising because one of the best defenders in the league, Draymond Green, did not have an answer for him in the Conference Semifinals. He is, of course, getting blamed, just like he did when he was playing for the Knicks.
The Thunder will now probably play to book their ticket to the Finals against Minnesota on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
