Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards stick up for each other after Timberwolves loss to Heat

Once in a while, Timberwolves players will conduct their media sessions together, like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns did after Friday's 121-112 loss to the Heat.

That format can lead to some interesting exchanges, as it did during two moments postgame, one that showed the support Edwards and Towns have for each other.

The first came when Towns was asked about his late-game interaction with former teammate Jimmy Butler. Butler could be heard on microphone telling Towns "I already punked you once."

Edwards didn't let Towns answer the question. He took it instead.

"Man, they grown men, dog," Edwards said. "They was just talking, having a regular conversation if you ask me. If y'all come to see us compete, there's no competition if we're not talking … to each other."

Edwards diffused the question and moment with the maturity of a veteran 10 years older than him.

Then later in the session, Towns gave his best pitch for Edwards, who had 25 points, to win rookie of the year. Edwards faced a heavy dose of double teams from Miami, something Towns referenced in his comments. Here's most of what he said:

"I've said it since day one, we made the right pick. I don't think there's any question. I don't want it to be missed. I don't want it to be looked over. There's a reason he was double-teamed. They should double-team him. No other rookie has earned that respect in this league. So when you go and you write your stories and your narratives and you write the truth you all write, make sure it's the right one. That's what journalism is all about. It's writing the truth.

"There ain't no other rookie in this league getting double-teamed. There ain't no other rookie putting up the numbers Ant is. There ain't no other rookie causing the havoc and mayhem before the game even starts with the scouting reports like Anthony is.

"But I don't want to hear nothing about no other people who are rookies. I don't want to hear that. I don't go by hype, I go by stats, and this man is putting up stats."

Edwards is now averaging 18.9 points on the season and 23.7 per game since the All-Star break. He's also averaging 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists. His competition for the award, Charlotte's LaMelo Ball, is averaging 15.6 points, 6.2 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 45 games.