Memphis uses ‘Swiss Army Knife’ to cut Timberwolves’ Julio Randle

Tuomas Iisalo was looking for answers to the squad amid a grueling journey, injuries and losses. Well, luckily, Vince Williams Jr. proved instrumental in keeping the Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randlehelping to secure a hard-fought victory that breathed new life into a relatively disappointing season. The jet lagged Memphis Grizzlies snap six-game losing streak and kept within striking distance of the last place in the NBA Play-In tournament.

Iisalo said running Williams Jr. on Randle is something the Grizzlies need to do given the circumstances.

“Yeah, Vince is a Swiss army knife for us,” Iisalo smiled. “He started the other day just because of this, because we felt like it was a very good matchup for Randle. The toughness he plays with and his length, he can really bother players up and down the lineup. So basically one through four, and this wasn’t the first game he did a great job with that. We definitely need him.”

Williams Jr., who logged 23 minutes, spent most of his time trailing Randle, using his length and relentless toughness to disrupt the Timberwolves’ offensive rhythm. The results spoke volumes. Randle, who finished with 19 points on an efficient 8-for-8 from the free throw line, struggled mightily from the field, going just 5-for-14 overall and a dismal 1-for-6 from beyond the arc.

More than once, Randle’s frustration boiled over, his feathers visibly ruffled by a pesky defense that denied easy looks and forced contested shots. Williams Jr. wasn’t just a defensive stopper; he contributed on both ends of the floor.

The 25-year-old wing recorded 16 points of his own, including an impressive 4-for-6 from three-point range, while dishing out five assists, grabbing two steals and grabbing one rebound. Williams Jr.’s all-around performance embodied the multi-tool versatility Iisalo has come to rely on, allowing the battered Grizzlies to adjust on the fly.

Unfortunately, five of the next six games are on the road. It will remind of that horrible Euro Trip. Still, like Grizzlies look aheadthe emergence of Vince Williams Jr. as this “Swiss Army Knife” adds a layer of unpredictability to their arsenal. In a league where adaptability reigns supreme, Tuomas Iisal’s faith in his young defenseman could be the edge Memphis needs to climb back into contention.