Carmelo Anthony Questions Julius Randle After Timberwolves Fall Behind

The Minnesota Timberwolves are now facing elimination after suffering another lopsided defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series. San Antonio’s 126-97 victory Tuesday night at Frost Bank Center gave the Spurs a 3-2 series lead and placed Minnesota one loss away from the end of its season.

The defeat closely resembled Minnesota’s difficult Game 2 loss earlier in the series, when San Antonio cruised to a 133-95 victory. In both games, the Timberwolves struggled to match the Spurs’ physicality, defensive intensity, and offensive rhythm over four quarters.

As the series shifts back to Target Center for Game 6 on Friday, attention has increasingly turned toward Julius Randle and his inconsistent offensive production. The veteran forward was expected to serve as Minnesota’s secondary scoring option behind Anthony Edwards, but his impact throughout the series has remained limited.

Following the Game 5 loss, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony publicly criticized Randle’s play during a television postgame appearance. Anthony questioned both Randle’s aggressiveness and decision-making, suggesting the Timberwolves forward has been settling too often offensively during the series.

1. Timberwolves Struggle Again in Blowout Loss

Minnesota entered Game 5 hoping to regain momentum after winning Game 4 at home to even the series at two games apiece. Instead, the Spurs responded with another dominant performance, overwhelming the Timberwolves from the opening minutes. San Antonio controlled the pace early and consistently attacked Minnesota’s defense throughout the night. The Timberwolves briefly fought back in the third quarter and managed to tie the game at 61, but the Spurs quickly regained control and pulled away decisively during the second half. The loss highlighted many of the same issues Minnesota faced earlier in the series. The Timberwolves struggled to generate efficient offense, particularly in half-court situations where San Antonio’s length and defensive rotations disrupted shot opportunities around the basket. Randle’s production became one of the most discussed aspects of the defeat. He finished Game 5 with 17 points and 10 rebounds but shot only 6-of-17 from the field while missing all four of his attempts from three-point range. Minnesota needed greater offensive efficiency from one of its top scorers but failed to receive it.

2. Carmelo Anthony Calls for Greater Aggression

Anthony addressed Randle’s performance during NBC’s postgame coverage and delivered a direct assessment of the Timberwolves forward’s struggles. The former All-Star questioned why Randle appeared hesitant offensively and criticized what he viewed as overly passive play. According to Anthony, Randle has been settling too frequently instead of attacking aggressively. He also suggested the veteran forward may be overthinking his offensive decisions rather than playing instinctively against San Antonio’s defense. Anthony’s comments carried additional weight given his own playoff experience during his NBA career. He famously led the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference finals in 2009 and built a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous postseason scorers during his prime years. While Anthony’s remarks were blunt, they reflected growing concerns surrounding Randle’s overall impact in the series. Through five games against San Antonio, the Timberwolves forward is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting only 36.6 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from three-point range.

3. Spurs Defense Continues Limiting Randle’s Impact

A major factor behind Randle’s struggles has been San Antonio’s defensive approach, particularly the presence of Victor Wembanyama protecting the paint. The Spurs’ length and interior defense have made it difficult for Randle to attack consistently near the basket. Whenever Randle attempts to drive into traffic, San Antonio’s help defenders have rotated quickly to contest shots and force difficult decisions. That pressure has often pushed him into contested jumpers or hesitant possessions late in the shot clock. Minnesota’s offensive structure relies heavily on Randle serving as a reliable second option alongside Edwards. When Randle struggles to score efficiently, the Timberwolves become far easier to defend because opposing teams can focus more defensive attention on Edwards and the perimeter shooters. Now facing elimination, Minnesota will need a much stronger performance from Randle if it hopes to extend the series. Whether Anthony’s criticism serves as motivation remains to be seen, but the Timberwolves clearly need more offensive aggression and consistency from one of their most important players heading into Game 6.