T imberwolves head coach Chris Finch was pleased with Julius Randle's performance in Minnesota's win over the Pelicans on Tuesday night. Randle, who has been the subject of plenty

Julius Randle was a key to the Timberwolves' victory against the Pelicans, and Chris Finch gave him his flowers.

Julius Randle has been under fire for much of this season. That was easy to see coming. Randle was the immediate replacement for Karl-Anthony Towns, a pillar of the Timberwolves’ organization

After Edwards shot the 3 with time winding down, Julius Randle could be seen on ESPN's cameras making his way towards the locker room. A review had held up the final inbounds play, but Randle was already on his way out of the tunnel, and he's been the subject of criticism for his early exit and body language during crunch time in Wednesday's game.

The first words out of Chris Finch’s mouth following the Minnesota Timberwolves ... Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert will eventually find the chemistry and the rhythm necessary to win. The group was assembled at the ...

Friday night marked Randle’s first game back at Madison Square Garden since the Knicks traded him and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the three-team blockbuster that brought center Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.

Randle played a secondary role in the Timberwolves’ 116-99 win, taking a backseat in the spotlight as Anthony Edwards dazzled with 36 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Julius Randle has been under fire for much of this ... But an all-star under attack has found a shield in the form of his head coach. Chris Finch has consistently lauded Randle’s abilities ...

Chris Finch has consistently lauded Randle’s abilities and efforts this season. He dove deeper into the subject when speaking to reporters Tuesday after the team’s win over New Orleans.

Julius Randle marked his return to Madison Square Garden with a quiet game. But his impact was felt in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 116-99 rout of his former team, the New York Knicks, on Friday night (Saturday Manila time).

Anthony Edwards scored 36 points, going 12-for-21 from the field in Minnesota’s 116-99 win over the Knicks to help them climb back to .500.