BBNBA: Julius Randle drops 22 to help Wolves take 2-1 lead on Lakers

Now that Anthony Davis is no longer a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, my sympathy for them has all but depleted. I’m no LeBron James hater, but the Bronny drama has been a little over the top. Also, Luka Doncic has twisted the knife into the soul of my Suns so many times that I’ve stopped eating Slovenian food altogether. Not that I ever really started, but still. All that to say it was good to see former Wildcat Julius Randle and the Timberwolves take a 2-1 series lead over the Lake Show on Friday night.

Randle scored 22 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists, and came away with a steal in the 116-104 victory in LA. He is now averaging 21.7 points per game this postseason on 51.2/50/80 shooting splits. There was an unjust narrative that Randle did not play well in the playoffs, but he is quieting those naysayers one game at a time.

His Kentucky alum teammate, Rob Dillingham, did not play as he is still recovering from an ankle injury, perfecting his new logo, and hugging it out with Mark Pope. You can’t help but think a pre-game visit from Kentucky’s head coach absolutely 100 percent made a huge impact in Minnesota’s victory.

For the Lakers, former ‘Cat Jarred Vanderbilt scored three points and snagged five boards in his 13 minutes on the court. The series will continue in Los Angeles with Game 4 on Sunday.

Elsewhere in the league, the Celtics slipped up against the Magic to lose Game 3, and the Bucks cruised by the Pacers to take a 2-1 lead. Chris Livingston did not dress.

BBNBA Statistics for 4/25/2025

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Julius Randle (MIN)	116 – 104 W vs. LAL	22	14-24 (4-11)	5	4	1	0	2	+11	41
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)	104-116 L vs. MIN	3	1-1 (0-0)	5	0	0	1	1	+5	13
Rob Dillingham (MIN)	116 – 104 W vs. LAL	DNP-Ankle
Chris Livingston (MIL)	117-101 W vs. IND	DNP-Did not dress

Today in the NBA Playoffs

Eastern Conference First Round | Game 3 | CLE leads 2-0
1:00 (TNT): (1) Cavaliers @ (8) Heat (Adebayo, Herro)

Western Conference First Round | Game 4 | OKC leads 3-0
3:30 (TNT): (1) Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander) @ (8) Grizzlies

Western Conference First Round | Game 4 | LAC leads 2-1
6:00 (TNT): (4) Nuggets (Murray) @ (5) Clippers

Western Conference First Round | Game 3 | Series tied 1-1
8:30 (ABC): (2) Rockets (Sheppard) @ (7) Warriors (Knox)