Julius Randle survives the clash with Nikola Jokic in a battle that the Wolves took to the limit
Nikola Jokic stood out on Tuesday night, achieving his best-ever stats in the NBA by scoring 61 points. But he hadn’t counted on the defensive prowess of Julius Randle. Together, they demonstrated top-tier basketball, delivering one of the most entertaining games of the season for fans.
It was Julius Randle’s efforts that ultimately secured the Wolves’ victory in a game that concluded 140-139, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats after double overtime. Despite Nikola Jokic’s record-setting triple-double, it wasn’t enough to prevent the Nuggets from losing.
After the thrilling game, reporters asked Julius Randle how he felt physically following the 50-minute duel. The Wolves’ player gave an honest and blunt response, impressing those in attendance.
“I feel awful. I feel awful. I’m in shock…But that’s why you train, that’s why you lift weights, that’s why you put in extra hours…to play games like this,” Randle shared. Throughout the game, Randle showcased his full range of skills.
The plan was clear: Julius Randle needed to keep Nikola Jokic at bay and maintain defensive control. But he went above and beyond, contributing 26 points that were crucial to the Wolves’ win. His performance included nine rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and four three-pointers.
Despite the exhaustion and giving his all on the court, Julius Randle expressed joy over his team’s victory. “I’m glad we won. If we had played 50 minutes and lost, I’d probably feel a little worse,” he noted.
In addition to being thrilled by his team’s result, Julius Randle took the opportunity to praise Jokic’s epic performance, describing it as “incredible and absolutely ridiculous.” He admitted the Serbian’s plays and scores left him speechless, saying he couldn’t even explain it.
With such a strong and precise offensive showing from Nikola Jokic, it’s understandable why Julius Randle and the Wolves feel proud of their victory. While the Serbian drew attention for achieving the highest-scoring triple-double in NBA history, Minnesota ultimately took the points.