The Phoenix Suns led for almost the entire game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but Julius Randle hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Minnesota a 120-117 win.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!JULIUS RANDLE ENDS IT ????????
ICE. COLD. ????#TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/bn1S9g4ILD
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2024
Despite Devin Booker scoring a season-high 44 points, Randle finished with 35 points on 11-of-20 shooting, as Minnesota improved to 8-6, while the Suns fell to 9-5 and lost their third-straight game.
Randle barely got off his game-winner, but it was deemed good by review. Some fans also thought an offensive foul should have been called on the play, as Josh Okogie fell to the floor right before the shot. Others disagreed.
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer: “Good coverage, good switches. Credit to Randle. He made a tough shot. That’s a push off earlier in the game. It’s not called a push off late. That can be frustrating. Consistency from the start of the game to end of game. It’s got to be the same, but Josh and the group executed and Randle hit a tough shot.” (via The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin)
This is the NBA in 2024. Officiating disasterclass.
What happened to the game I love… https://t.co/HNqCwjg5JE
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) November 17, 2024
Adam Silver has to do something about this.
I don't get how Julius Randle wasn't called for a offensive foul, it's clear as fk'n day his arm extended into his chest. and the refs yet don't call it.
Wolves was getting away with fouling all 4th quarter!pic.twitter.com/DaE8HkR5iH
— ???????????? (@DatGuyDominixk) November 17, 2024
Did Julius Randle get away with an offensive foul? ????
Some believe Josh Okogie flopped, some believe Randle fouled… https://t.co/xsicyJstDy pic.twitter.com/fx9rpOcyvV
— CourtSideHeat (@courtsideheat) November 17, 2024
I know people are saying Julius Randle should have been called for the offensive foul, but didn’t it look like Josh Okogie flopped? https://t.co/O9AIvrLorS
— Joshua Unangst (@JoshuaUnangst13) November 17, 2024
Can someone please post this with a replay because one, I need to see he actually got this off in time.
Two, that is the clearest offensive foul ???????????????? https://t.co/lNVbGKYsnU— Cellus! (@Marcellushill2) November 17, 2024
The Suns had plenty of chances to seal the game, but they shot 1-for-6 in the last 3:40 of the game, had seven turnovers in the fourth quarter and missed three go-ahead shots on the same possession with under 35 seconds remaining.
The Suns had 4 chances to end the game pic.twitter.com/tXmKamS3Z5
— Real Sports (@realapp_) November 17, 2024
In the end, Phoenix played much better than it had in its last two games with both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal (left calf strains) remaining sidelined, but still could not come out on top.
The Suns are back in action tomorrow night at home against the Orlando Magic.
Takeaways from Suns falling 120-117 to Timberwolves off buzzer-beater by Julius Randle
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
