Latest Julius Randle Injury Update Worrisome for Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are back on the floor tonight versus the Chicago Bulls. Even though they’ve lost two straight and will play shorthanded for the third game in a row, the Wolves enter tonight’s match-up as double-digit home favorites.

We already knew Julius Randle wouldn’t be returning tonight after suffering a groin injury last week against Utah. The rest of the Timberwolves will try to right ship against a 22-29 Bulls squad that just traded away old friend Zach LaVine two days ago. But on Wednesday, we learned that Randle won’t be taking the floor anytime soon.

Minnesota Timberwolves release injury update on Julius Randle

This morning, after an MRI scan revealed an adductor strain, the Timberwolves announced their 30-year-old three-time All-Star will miss at least the next two weeks while he rests his groin. Around the 20th of February, he will be reevaluated by team doctors.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken at Mayo Clinic by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on Randle revealed a right adductor strain and was confirmed via second opinion by Dr. Benjamin Domb of American Hip Institute. Randle will be re-evaluated in two weeks, and further updates of his progress will be provided when available.

Minnesota Timberwolves via Press Release

Today’s announcement regarding Randle’s injury won’t affect tonight’s Wolves/Bulls odds since he wasn’t going to play anyway. According to Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic), it won’t have much effect on the likelihood he is traded before Thursday’s deadline either. Still, it isn’t the Randle update that Minnesota — who had won five-straight before his injury — was hoping to announce this morning.

A web search indicates this is probably a grade two adductor strain since the Wolves want to reevaluate Randle after two weeks. The recovery time for a grade two adductor strain according to Google AI is three to six weeks.

Key points about adductor strain recovery:

• Grade 1 strain: Usually heals within 1-2 weeks, allowing for normal walking within a few days.
• Grade 2 strain: May take 3-6 weeks to fully heal.
• Grade 3 strain: Can take up to 4 months or more to recover, as it involves a significant muscle tear.

Google AI Overview

Prior to his injury, Julius Randle was averaging 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Those are all very close to his career averages (other than rebounds which are down from 9.2 per season). But they are lower than his past four seasons with the Knicks, when he was averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. But when Randle is engaged, he makes you wonder what could be.

Julius Randle, this is awesome. pic.twitter.com/LIjNeoxyHq

— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) January 23, 2025

So, in case you aren’t following along:

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 0-2 since Julius Randle left the lineup. Unfortunately, neither loss can be attributed to caliber of opponent. The first of two-straight losses came Feb. 1 against the (8-41) Washington Wizards, who entered the matchup as losers of 16 straight games.

Related: Ball Brother Reportedly Drawing Trade Interest from Timberwolves

Just two short nights later, Chris Finch & Co. fell to a dismantled (25-24) Sacramento Kings squad that had just traded away arguably its best player, De’Aaron Fox, to the San Antonio Spurs earlier that day.

And now tonight, they’ll tip-off against a Bulls team that has little interest in winning. Many MN Timberwolves fans want Julius Randle traded away. But in a short sample size, they have not been a very good team without him. Wednesday’s game versus Chicago will provide an opportunity to change the script.