"I have been around a lot of great players. He is as confident in his belief in himself as ... it's Kobe-like. And I was around Kobe," the All-Star power forward relayed. "He's not scared of any moment, and he wants those moments. His belief and confidence in who he is as a player is the highest I've ever seen or been around, for anybody."

Timberwolves' power forward has finally emerged as a playoff force to complement superstar Anthony Edwards. 'I had a great mentor in Kobe Bryant,' he says.

Anthony Edwards spearheaded a decisive third-quarter surge, scoring 11 of his 30 points during a 17-0 run that broke a halftime tie and shifted momentum firmly in Minnesota's favor. Julius Randle complemented Edwards' performance by contributing 31 points, five rebounds, and three assists.