Conley: We 'need our best guys to be our best guys' in do-or-die Game 5

Minnesota Timberwolves veteran Mike Conley is calling for his team's stars to step up in Wednesday's do-or-die Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"There's obviously a balance, especially from (Anthony Edwards), Julius (Randle), guys like that, where you want them to make the right decision, in the right place, 100% of the time," Conley said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "But we know there's a couple times where you have to find yourself, find your offense."

He added: "But tonight, we're gonna definitely need our best guys to be our best guys, and everybody else has to do their job around them."

Randle has struggled overall this series. He had just six points on 2-of-11 shooting in Game 2 before being benched for the fourth quarter. Randle was even worse in Game 4, scoring five points on 1-of-7 shooting.

The 30-year-old is averaging 15.8 points per game in the series but 21.6 in the playoffs overall.

Edwards has also had difficulties against the Thunder. He took just 13 shots each in Games 1 and 4, but he still leads the team with 24 points per contest.

Conley, an 18-year vet, has offered the stars some advice as they enter Game 5 down 3-1 in the Western Conference finals.

"First of all, it's just encouraging them," Conley said. "Letting them know that we wouldn't be in this position without them two. They're the guys who've led us this far, and we need them to be who they are every night, and there can't be a slip into a quarter or a minute, especially in an elimination game.

"We need those guys to be themselves and have fun and be free, not be so stressed and being pressed to make the right decision every time. Sometimes you're gonna mess up, but at the same time, keep your motivation, keep your joy for what you're trying to do, and challenge yourself."

The T-Wolves will look to keep their season alive in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. ET.