By Marcus Thompson II | The Athletic, 2026-05-05 11:51:52
圣安东尼奥——在任何战斗中，击腹拳都是一种长线投资。它们会产生消耗，有条不紊地摧毁对手，抽走对方的能量，挑战其意志。诚然，抡圆了的重拳更具观赏性，但耐心的拳击手更看重那些击中对手核心、令其意志消沉的沉闷撞击声。
周一，明尼苏达森林狼队的朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle) 开始对圣安东尼奥马刺队的“身体”展开攻势。在这场西部半决赛的首场较量中，这位强力前锋引领了明尼苏达的进攻势头：要让对手感受到对抗。兰德尔通过维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 的躯干，向身为夺冠热门的 2 号种子马刺队传递了一个信号。
这位身高惊人的马刺核心，其头部高到难以触及，因此兰德尔不断向他的身体发动攻击。攻击他的体能，攻击他的耐力，攻击他的斗志。其目的并非一拳击倒，而是让圣安东尼奥在第一场比赛、在整个系列赛中逐渐瓦解。
森林狼队以 104-102 赢得了系列赛揭幕战，并不是因为他们表现得多么完美，而是因为他们逐渐磨掉了马刺队的卓越表现。马刺队外线最准的投手朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie)，在最后时刻的绝杀三分尝试无力地磕在了篮筐前沿。这正是明尼苏达所进行的持久战的一个缩影。
关于文班亚马，以及从本质上讲关于马刺队竞争力的少数疑问中，就包括他那瘦削的体架能否经受住一轮真刀真枪的季后赛系列赛的持久消耗和身体摩擦。这支圣安东尼奥球队在季后赛舞台上还很稚嫩，而波特兰开拓者在首轮并没能给马刺制造足够的压力。
森林狼球星安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 伤愈复出，他从膝盖过度伸展中提前归来为球队注入了强心针。但兰德尔的比赛态度才是明尼苏达战术风格的先锋。即便爱德华兹回归，兰德尔的重要性依然至关重要，因为作为 6 号种子但拥有资深季后赛经验的森林狼，正让圣安东尼奥初尝季后赛的苦涩。
鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 和杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels) 作为明尼苏达最顶尖的两名防守者，在首轮通过锁死丹佛掘金引以为傲的尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić) 和贾马尔·穆雷 (Jamal Murray) 组合，为球队铺平了道路。但在本轮系列赛中，兰德尔承担起了“基调掌控者”的任务。
他的目标是测试这位马刺新晋传奇的强韧程度。通过这样做，兰德尔体现了明尼苏达的意图：展示这将会是那种系列赛——那种会让肌肉酸痛、让关节和韧带承压、让体能储备和冷静心态无所遁形的系列赛。
“他是场上最强壮的球员，”明尼苏达后卫特伦斯·香农 (Terrence Shannon Jr.) 谈到兰德尔时说，“你知道他可以对任何人利用他的身体对抗，对他们中的任何一个。”
朱利叶斯·兰德尔的强硬球风帮助球队限制了马刺球星文班亚马，使其 17 投仅 11 分，尽管后者贡献了创季后赛纪录的 12 次盖帽。(Daniel Dunn / Imagn Images)
文班亚马和马刺队感受到了兰德尔的威力。圣安东尼奥感受到了明尼苏达的压力。而这种“投资”的回报在第四节显现了出来。
森林狼队在过去两年都打进了西部决赛，经历过足以让人心志坚定的心碎时刻，他们在关键时刻展现出了实力。明尼苏达在第四节找到了节奏，而圣安东尼奥的腿部力量开始动摇。第四节中段的一波 14-2 进攻高潮让明尼苏达占据了主动，迫使圣安东尼奥苦苦追赶。兰德尔在最后一节拿下了全场最高 21 分中的 9 分，包括最后一分钟的一次突破打板投篮，那球最终成为了准绝杀。
“极其重要，”兰德尔说，“这为整个系列赛奠定了基调。尤其是作为客场球队。我们能以这样的方式出战，保持冷静，打出高水平的篮球。老实说，我们觉得还有很多提升空间，我觉得我们可以打得更好。但我们的韧性、斗志、拼劲，以及赢球的意志，带我们度过了难关。”
兰德尔通过他的着装选择清晰地表达了他的心态。他走进霜银中心球馆（Frost Bank Center）时，显然是一副“找麻烦”的架势。一双黑白配色的 Chuck Taylors 帆布鞋，致敬那个肘击是家常便饭的旧时代；一顶黑色的芝加哥白袜队球帽，因 Dr. Dre 在 1992 年的《Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang》MV 中佩戴而成为经典；一套黑色西装，不是那种正式礼服，更像是奢侈版的 Dickies 工装。西装里面是一件印有 2Pac 头像的白色 T 恤。
这位在洛杉矶开启职业生涯的达拉斯人，带着《Hit ‘Em Up》式的杀气回到了家乡德州。
“你懂的，”31 岁的兰德尔笑着说道。
他在第一节结束的哨响前隔扣了文班亚马。
当时兰德尔正在快攻中，进入油漆区时他降低了速度，仿佛在故意等着冲过来的文班亚马追上来。兰德尔用前臂顶开了尚帕尼，在文班亚马封盖到位前完成双手力扣。兰德尔没有尝试巧取或快出手，而是选择了强攻。
季后赛隔扣。 pic.twitter.com/UjZEpZr0MT
— 明尼苏达森林狼队 (@ Timberwolves) 2026年5月5日
第二节初，在低位防守时，兰德尔为了断掉吊入内线的传球，直接撞向了文班亚马的身体。几分钟后，在一次转换进攻中，兰德尔将他 6 英尺 9 英寸、250 磅的身躯化作挡在文班亚马面前的一堵砖墙，在文班亚马摔倒在硬木地板上时领到了犯规。第二节末，兰德尔又是一记背后的肘击将文班亚马撞倒在地。
这是文班亚马经历的一晚：肘击、推搡、侵略性极强的卡位。防守者紧贴着他，直到贴到他的球衣上，直到他的汗水滴在对方的头顶。包夹伴随着凶狠的切球。不仅仅是兰德尔，麦克丹尼尔斯和纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid) 也在积极地绕前防守文班亚马，为此不惜拉拽、推搡和挤撞。
文班亚马全场 17 投仅得 11 分。他的 8 次三分尝试全部打铁，这正中明尼苏达下怀，他们成功将禁区变成了寸步难行的荒原。
森林狼知道他会反击。他们采用这种策略是因为文班亚马很出色。但他能坚持六场吗？或者七场？他能在这种粗野的对抗中找回效率吗？兰德尔在周一发起了这项测试。任何换防到兰德尔面前的马刺防守者都能感受到他肩膀的厚度、髋部的力量和前臂的冲击力。他全场 20 次出手中有 12 次是在油漆区，其中 6 次是在合理冲撞区。
这并不是兰德尔最华丽的表演之一。但这最终成为了他作为这支日益显露冠军相的森林狼队资深领袖表现最好的比赛之一。因为兰德尔克服了进攻端的挣扎，他坚守岗位，成为了明尼苏达在本轮系列赛乃至整个季后赛风格的旗手。
尽管球队需要兰德尔的得分、体型和力量，但他们更需要他的精神属性。能否连续第三次闯入西决，很大程度上取决于他的产出——作为组织者、得分手以及球队的“温度调节计”。森林狼需要他的心态保持稳定和侵略性，需要他像带头冲锋的大哥一样引领战斗。
兰德尔在周一承担起了这份责任。顶住了所有压力。
“我们都信任朱（Ju），”麦克丹尼尔斯说，“他也是我们的老将。他只需继续做他正在做的事，我们会紧随其后。”
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：The Wolves have a punishing plan to beat the Spurs, and Julius Randle was the Game 1 bully
The Wolves have a punishing plan to beat the Spurs, and Julius Randle was the Game 1 bully
SAN ANTONIO — In any fight, body blows become an investment. They take a toll. They destroy methodically. Siphon the opponent’s energy. Challenge the will. Indeed, haymaker swings offer more excitement. But a patient pugilist values the muffled thud of shots to the resolve.
On Monday, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Julius Randle went to work on the proverbial body of San Antonio. The bruising forward led the impetus for Minnesota in Game 1 of this Western Conference semifinal series: to be felt. And Randle sent the message to the favorites, the No. 2-seeded Spurs, through the torso of Victor Wembanyama.
The head of the 7-foot-forever Spur is too high to reach. So Randle kept delivering blows. At his body. At his stamina. At his heart. The aim wasn’t a knockout, but the gradual deterioration of San Antonio. In Game 1. In this series.
The Timberwolves took the series opener, 104-102, not because they were excellent. But because they gradually extracted the excellence of the Spurs. San Antonio guard Julian Champagnie, the team’s best 3-point shooter, sailed his game-winning 3-point attempt harmlessly off the front rim. It was a metaphor for the long game Minnesota is playing.
What few questions remain about Wembanyama, and in essence, the viability of the Spurs, include the ability of his wiry frame to endure the longevity and friction of an earnest playoff series. This iteration of San Antonio is new to the second season, and Portland failed to push the Spurs in the first round.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards came back from injury, his early return from a hyperextended knee giving his team a jolt. But Randle’s disposition spearheaded Minnesota’s approach. Even with Edwards back, Randle’s importance remained critical as the Wolves, a No. 6 seed but venerable postseason veterans, introduced San Antonio to the playoffs’ bitter taste.
Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota’s two best defenders, paved the way in the first round by smothering Denver’s vaunted tandem of Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. But in this series, Randle drew the assignment of vibe curator.
He aimed to test the sturdiness of the Spurs’ burgeoning legend. And in doing so, Randle embodied Minnesota’s intention to illustrate how this would be one of those series. One that tenderizes muscles and puts pressure on the joints and ligaments. That exposes conditioning and reveals composure.
“He’s the strongest player on the floor,” Minnesota guard Terrence Shannon Jr. said of Randle. “You know he can use his physicality against anybody. Any of them.”
Julius Randle’s physical style helped bother Spurs star Victor Wembanyama into just 11 points on 17 shots, despite his playoff-record 12 blocks. (Daniel Dunn / Imagn Images)
Wembanyama and the Spurs felt Randle. San Antonio felt Minnesota. And the return on the investment came in the fourth quarter.
The Timberwolves, who have made the past two Western Conference finals and endured their share of hardening heartbreaks, showed their quality in the critical moments. Minnesota found its groove in the fourth quarter, while San Antonio’s legs wobbled. A 14-2 run midway through the fourth put Minnesota in the driver’s seat and San Antonio on the chase. Randle scored nine of his game-high 21 points in the final frame, including a driving bank shot in the final minute that proved to be the game-winner.
“Extremely important,” Randle said. “That’s kind of a tone-setter for the series. Especially being a road team. For us to come out the way we did, composed, just playing good basketball. We feel like we left a lot out there, to be honest. I feel like we can play a lot better. But just our scrappiness, our heart, our hustle, you know, just our will to win got us through.”
Randle made his mindset clear with his fashion choices. He walked into Frost Bank Center clearly looking for a problem. A pair of black-and-white Chuck Taylors, an ode to the old days when elbows were a steady diet. A black White Sox cap, made iconic in Dr. Dre’s 1992 “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” video. A black suit. Not the dressy kind, but more like a luxury version of a Dickies get-up. Beneath it, a white T-shirt featuring 2Pac.
The Dallas native, who started his NBA career in Los Angeles, returned to his home state with “Hit ‘Em Up” energy.
“You already know,” Randle, 31, said with a smile.
He posterized Wembanyama at the first-quarter buzzer.
Randle, out on a fast break, decelerated as he got in the paint, almost as if he wanted the charging Wembanyama to catch up. Randle shed Champagnie with a forearm and power dunked with two hands before Wembanyama could block it. Randle didn’t try to finesse or quick-shot it, but went up strong.
PLAYOFF POSTER. pic.twitter.com/UjZEpZr0MT
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@ Timberwolves) May 5, 2026
Early in the second quarter, playing defense in the post, Randle went through Wembanyama’s body in an attempt to steal the post-entry pass. Minutes later, during a transition, Randle turned his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame into a brick wall in Wembanyama’s path, taking the foul as Wembanyama crashed to the hardwood. Late in the second quarter, Randle delivered an elbow to the back that sent Wembanyama to the floor.
This was Wembanyama’s night. Elbows. Shoves. Aggressive box-outs. Defenders pressing up on him until they were in his jersey, until his sweat could drip onto the top of their domes. Double teams coming with violent swipes at the ball. Not just with Randle. But McDaniel and Naz Reid, who aggressively fronted Wembanyama, pulling and shoving and pushing to do so.
Wembanyama finished with 11 points on 17 shots. He missed all eight of his 3-point attempts, which played into the hands of a Minnesota squad that made the paint rough terrain.
The Timberwolves know he’s coming back. They employ this strategy because Wembanyama is great. But can he hold up for six games? Or seven. Can he find his efficiency among their abrasiveness? Randle launched that investigation on Monday. Any San Antonio defender who found himself matched up with Randle felt the density of his shoulder, the power of his hips and the force of his forearm. He took 12 of his 20 shots in the paint, including six in the restricted area.
This wasn’t one of Randle’s sparkling performances. But it wound up being one of his better showings as an experienced leader of a Wolves team that increasingly resembles a real contender. Because Randle worked through his offensive struggles. He remained on his post as the flag bearer of Minnesota’s approach in this series and in these playoffs.
As much as they need Randle’s buckets, and his size and strength, they need his psyche. A third straight trip to the West finals depends largely on his production. As a playmaker, as a scorer, as a team thermostat. The Timberwolves need his mentality to remain consistent and aggressive. To be their big brother leading the fight.
Randle embraced the duty on Monday. Against all odds.
“We all trust Ju,” McDaniels said. “He’s our vet as well. He just keeps doing what he’s doing and we’ll follow behind him.”
By Marcus Thompson II, via The Athletic