Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards Gets Blunt Character Response From Timberwolves Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 25, 2025 6:56 AM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves seemed to be headed for the junkyard after getting handled by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first two games of the Western Conference finals. But on Saturday, they made a resounding statement.

Back home at Target Center, they took the Thunder behind the woodshed and administered an old-fashioned beatdown. Their 143-101 victory not only got them on the board in the series but also sent a message that they won't stand aside and allow Oklahoma City to be coronated.

Anthony Edwards made 12 of his 17 shot attempts and scored 30 points, but he had ample help. Power forward Julius Randle turned in 24 points and shot 9-of-15 from the field in the win.

Randle praised Edwards' leadership following Game 3 and how the budding superstar helped calm him down after Game 2.

“He’s very in tune with his teammates and what’s going on… he’s like the definition of selfless, shortly after that game(game 2) he knows I’m hot, I’m upset… he was the first one, he settled me, he was like just shake it off,” Randle said.

Julius Randle on Anthony Edwards as a leader

“He’s very in tune with his teammates and what’s going on… he’s like the definition of selfless, shortly after that game(game 2) he knows I’m hot, I’m upset… he was the first one, he settled me, he was like just shake it off” pic.twitter.com/Ox8sCF8biX
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) May 25, 2025

Edwards has been tabbed as perhaps the next face of the NBA for the last couple of years. However, he hasn't been the most consistently offensive threat, especially come playoff time.

In the first game of this series, he went just 5-of-13 from the field and was held to 18 points. He looked more like himself in Game 2 with 32 points on 12-of-26 shooting, although it wasn't enough to prevent a 118-103 loss.

Randle has been criticized by some for his own inconsistent shooting. He shot 9-of-13 overall and put up 28 points in Game 1, but in the following contest, he missed nine of his 11 shot attempts.

An efficient and productive Randle is one of the biggest keys to Minnesota taking Game 4 and turning what looked like a one-sided series into one that could go to the limit.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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