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Julius Randle’s buzzer-beater sparks controversy in Timberwolves’ victory over Suns!

The Minnesota Timberwolves escaped with a thrilling 120-117 victory against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, courtesy of a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Julius Randle.

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Shubham Shekhar
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Julius Randle

Julius Randle

The Minnesota Timberwolves escaped with a thrilling 120-117 victory against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, courtesy of a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Julius Randle. However, controversy erupted when the NBA’s last-two-minute report released on Monday revealed that Randle travelled before taking the decisive shot.

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The ruling has no impact on the game’s final outcome, but it provides a bitter pill for the Phoenix Suns, who now face their third straight loss after a strong 9-2 season start. Randle’s game-winner wasn’t without scrutiny even in real-time, as many fans and analysts focused on a potential offensive foul. 

Here is the video:

In the play, Randle appeared to extend his arm to create space against Suns defender Josh Okogie. The NBA clarified in the report that this was not an illegal move: "Randle (MIN) places his off-arm against Okogie (PHX) and releases from contact as he steps back into his shot attempt. Okogie is not dislodged from his defensive position as a result of illegal contact from Randle," the report stated.

Frustration continues for the Suns!

While the officials correctly allowed play to continue on the offensive foul, they missed the travel violation, an error that likely cost Phoenix a chance at overtime. Despite the oversight, Randle’s heroics have become a signature moment for the Timberwolves since his trade from the New York Knicks, where Karl-Anthony Towns was sent in exchange.

The All-Star forward showcased his offensive prowess throughout the game, scoring 35 points, dishing out seven assists, and grabbing four rebounds. His efficiency—shooting 11-of-20 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc—solidified his role as a critical offensive weapon for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves, now riding a two-game winning streak, will rely heavily on Randle to complement Anthony Edwards in their pursuit of playoff success in the stacked Western Conference. For the Suns, frustration continues to mount amid their losing streak. While they can’t overturn Sunday’s controversial result, they have a chance to regroup as they face the Orlando Magic at home on Monday.

NBA Minnesota Timberwolves Phoenix Suns
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