The Minnesota Timberwolves are expecting to have Julius Randle back in their lineup on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. It’ll be the first game back for Randle after he missed 13 straight games due to a groin strain. The Wolves will have their second-best scorer back in the 6-foot-8 forward.
ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed the report about Randle and his status leading up to the game. The three-time All-Star is giving the team 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 47% shooting from the field.
With his production, the team has gotten a 32-29 record, which is good enough for the ninth place in the tough Western Conference.
NBA News: Minnesota Timberwolves forward reportedly expected to return to the lineup
Charania shared the details before the start of the Wolves’ bout against the Suns.
“Sources tell me Julius Randle is expected to make his return to the lineup tonight for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Phoenix,” Charania said. “He missed the last 13 games with a groin strain. The Timberwolves are 5-8 without him in the lineup. In his previous 14 games before the injury, they went 10-4.
“What we saw was, him finding his stride in Minnesota. Probably the best stride he’s had as a Timberwolf. Playmaking, scoring for tghe Timberwolves along with Anthony Edwards. They’re gonna need another person to playmake around Edwards and now Randle [is] back in the lineup, hopefully, tonight.”
Reporting for NBA Countdown — After being away from the Timberwolves for a week tending to family matter, star Julius Randle is expected to make his return tonight against the Phoenix Suns (ESPN, 9:30 pm ET): pic.twitter.com/50yB99GKGf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 3, 2025
Randle has not played a game since January 30 and has missed the entirety of February. Charania did not report whether the big man will be under a minutes restriction.
Anthony Edwards is back in the lineup after a one-game suspension
The Minnesota Timberwolves have confirmed that Edwards will return to the lineup following a one-game suspension on Friday. The Wolves had a 117-116 loss against the Utah Jazz without their star guard. The three-time All-Star was ejected in their game on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers and accumulated his 16th technical foul of the season.
“Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season,” NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars stated. “For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.”
Anthony Edwards picked up his 16th technical foul of the season vs. the Lakers.
He was ejected from the game and will be suspended for the Wolves' next game. pic.twitter.com/VNp842z0G2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 28, 2025
After a one-game absence, Edwards is back with his team, together with Randle. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
