The Minnesota Timberwolves are closing in on a spot in the Western Conference Finals for a second successive year.
It appears the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ reaching the conference finals in 2024 was no fluke.
Now 3-1 up in their series with the Golden State Warriors after a 117-100 road win, the Timberwolves are one win away from progression.
It is impressive considering the changes made to the team before the season, with Karl-Anthony Towns traded away, and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo acquired.
It took a little while for the Timberwolves’ new look team to gel, and right now they are hitting their stride.
Photo by David Berding/Getty ImagesJulius Randle thanks Mike Conley
Julius Randle was plunged into a tough situation, where fans did not immediately take to him and he struggled to find a fit.
Randle is hitting big statistical numbers, with Chris Finch pinpointing late December as the time Randle began to hit his stride.
Speaking after Game 4, Randle acknowledged the help his teammates have made, singling out star player Anthony Edwards.
“I said it from the beginning when I got traded here, like, he’s special. He has a chance to be as great as he wants to be,” he told a press conference.
Randle also had particularly kind words about team veteran Mike Conley, who he feels has been a major influence on him since his arrival, and is key for the team.
“Mike, man, his presence is unbelievable, man. He’s as steady as they come. Just his ability, I don’t know if it’s a point guard thing or if it’s just Mike because his ability to communicate with everybody, each individual on the team in different ways, and bring the best out of everybody.
“I mean, how he competes every single night. You know, he’s so versatile and does so many things and he’s just a great basketball mind.
“His leadership is unbelievable, and it’s something that I’ve really learned from this year and been able to take and add to my game. But he’s just a calming, settling presence for our team.”
.Mike Conley helped the Timberwolves
Mike Conley’s performances during the playoffs have been up and down, where he was singled out as a ‘weak point’ of the team early on.
Chris Finch has kept faith with Mike Conley and his numbers in Game 4 show this was justified, with 11 points, his highest in the NBA Playoffs this season.
Conley still shot erratically at 2-9 from the field, a poor 22 per cent, but his plus-minus numbers of +17 demonstrate his importance to the team.
His value is shown in a lot of intangibles, with Randle praising the calmness and steadiness he brings to the Timberwolves, that has left them on the verge of the conference finals.