The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team built on the experience of grizzled veterans who have found their way from different franchises and blended into a cohesive unit. For Rudy Gobert, the former Utah Jazz star, Minnesota has become a true home with this current cast of characters.
For Julius Randle, previously with the Lakers and Knicks, it’s a fresh start in a new environment.
For others, the road to fitting in took time, patience, and persistence. Former Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley embodies that mindset.
His steady leadership and years of experience have become a crucial asset to a Timberwolves squad led by the confident but still-developing Anthony Edwards.
Conley’s long NBA tenure gives him not only a deep well of playoff knowledge but also specific insight into facing teams like the Golden State Warriors. During his time in Memphis, the Warriors and Grizzlies engaged in some memorable battles, and that history adds another layer to Conley’s importance as Minnesota looks to make a deep postseason run.
Randle Jokes About Conley’s Age
The Timberwolves have emerged as a formidable team, steadily building chemistry as the regular season wound down. The return of Randle to the lineup, combined with Mike Conley’s veteran savvy, has elevated the team’s play. Also contributing is Joe Ingles—the former Utah Jazz sharpshooter and longtime teammate of Conley—who now brings his experience to Minnesota’s roster.
Ingles and Conley provide the Wolves with the steadying presence that only seasoned veterans can offer. Following the team’s recent victory over the Warriors, Randle had high praise for both, singling out Conley in particular—with a playful jab at his age.
Julius Randle had jokes about Mike Conley 🤣
"To be 50 years old and still come out and defend the way he does…"
Randle then credited the leadership of vets like Conley and Joe Ingles 💯 pic.twitter.com/A0MLH5N9JX
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2025
“To be 50 years old and still come out and defend and play with the effort that he does. I’ve talked all year about the leader that he is for our team, and how he keeps us balanced.”
Conley, who only played 17 minutes against the Warriors, scored 6 points and racked up 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Despite his limited playing time in the blowout victory, he was still all over the floor, leading with defensive effort, providing an example for the rest of the team to follow.
Can the Wolves Steal Game 3 on the Road?
The Warriors are without their superstar Stephen Curry, but they could still draw energy from the Chase Center crowd and find a way to spark a strong performance in Game 3. And of course, there’s always the looming possibility of “Playoff Jimmy” making his presence felt if the Warriors need a boost.
That said, the Timberwolves could have their hands full. While the Warriors have managed to win without Curry during the regular season, the postseason presents a different challenge. For Minnesota, strong performances from both Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards will be essential.
It will be interesting to see how both teams adjust their strategies after lopsided outcomes earlier in the series. Will Game 3 deliver a tightly contested battle? Can Edwards deliver his best performance yet? And will “Playoff Jimmy” finally make his mark? Time will tell.