Anthony Edwards' Advice to Julius Randle Revealed After Star Benched by Wolves HC

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards offered some important encouragement to teammate Julius Randle on the flight back from a Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

Randle didn't see the floor whatsoever in the fourth quarter of the 118-103 defeat, much to the consternation of the veteran forward.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Edwards "approached Randle on the plane and encouraged him to keep his spirits up."

"By the time the plane landed in Minneapolis, Randle was determined to move on," Windhorst wrote.

Randle told Sam Amick of The Athletic the conversation was an example of Edwards' leadership and how "he's very in tune with his teammates and what's going on."

"As great of a player as Ant is, and how special he is on a night-to-night basis, he's like the definition of selfless in that fact," Randle said. "Just shortly after (Game 2), he knows I'm hot. Like, I'm upset. He seen me, (and) he was like, 'Bro, just shake that (off). You good. Don't worry about it.'

"And as the flight went on, I was able to start smiling and laughing again while we were playing cards and all that stuff. So he's very mature and very in tune with the team, and as a leader of the team, you need that."

According to Windhorst, Randle and head coach Chris Finch discussed the decision to keep him on the bench at the of Game 2 and "moved on" once their chat ended.

The Timberwolves took out their frustration on the Thunder in Game 3, blowing out the top seed by 42 points. Randle finished with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes.

Edwards is Minnesota's best player and the team's hopes of advancing will rest squarely on his performance. Just as important is for him to serve as a stabilizing force inside the locker room.

The All-NBA honoree excelled in both facets leading up to and during Game 3.