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Julius Randle · Buckled into the driver’s seat by leading or tying for all but 13 seconds of a 48-minute game, it appeared the Phoenix Suns had done everything necessary to conquer the afternoon’s high-profile opponent on November 17, 2024. Of all times, though, the game’s final play introduced them to the one step it left uncovered: Julius Randle’s stepback. Positioned to capture what would later be deemed his “signature moment in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform” to date, the newly-arriving All-Star works judiciously, immediately driving middle after his inbound with just 2.7 seconds remaining. Rivaling Josh Okogie’s glue-tight defense with enough physicality to offer him a floor seat to the history to come, Randle steadies into a signature stepback, burying his storied career’s first buzzer-beating game-winner from atop the 3-point arc. Flawless in his late-game cohesion alongside his All-Star perimeter mate, Randle’s heroics helped Minnesota survive a somewhat-grueling schedule for a resilient win. Through a box score that matched, Randle’s concluding tally saw 35 points (on 11-of-20 shooting), four rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers. · State of Mint · State of Mint