Julius Randle is proving to be the Timberwolves’ X-factor, with the Wolves finding success when he plays, showcasing his impact.

Julius Randle was always going to arrive in the Twin Cities with a target on his back. He was the primary trade piece in the blockbuster deal sending Minnesota Timberwolves franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves soared to its sixth straight victory with a decisive win over the favored Denver Nuggets.

The Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off a five-game winning streak when they beat the Dallas Mavericks on the road on Jan. 22. That was also when Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Julius Randle had a talk about Randle's fit on the team.

Julius Randle returned to the Timberwolves’ lineup on Sunday in Phoenix after missing Minnesota’s last month of action.

Timberwolves star Julius Randle spoke out after his team's wild offensive outburst in a win over the Spurs on Sunday.

Those injuries have been the latest problem for Minnesota in a disappointing follow-up to last year's trip to the Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves went 5-8 with Randle sidelined and are now 33-29 and hold the No. 8 seed in the West following Sunday's win.

The Wolves have won five in a row since his return from a month-long absence due to a groin injury and are firmly in the chase for a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs after losing four of five games coming out of the All-Star Break.

Anthony Edwards scored 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the San Antonio Spurs 141-124 on Sunday night for their fifth consecutive victory and highest score this season.