Naz Reid takes over for Rudy Gobert to defeat Warriors

There are plenty of rumors regarding the Minnesota Timberwolves’ backup center Naz Reid, but as far as Naz Reid is concerned, he remains focused on the here and now. After all, power forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns has played just 21 of the 54 games this season. And as far as the Timberwolves’ starting center Rudy Gobert, he has missed 10 games this season, including the most recent contest against the Golden State Warriors, due to a nagging groin injury.

The Minnesota Timberwolves roster could be in a rather perilous predicament, as neither Towns nor Gobert was able to suit up to face the Warriors. Instead, the Timberwolves did what the team has done all season, start for the Timberwolves and play hard.

But he had a little extra in his game for the Warriors, and it was so apparent that he was asked about it after the game:

Toughness has not always been a quality of Naz Reid’s game. In fact, against the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Playoffs last season, Reid wilted a bit against the very physical Grizzlies team. Where did Reid get his confidence? From Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch

Naz Reid is maturing and developing. After a bit of regression in the 2021-22 NBA season, he is back on track this year. He more than doubled his season average in scoring, throwing down 24 points in overtime to help the Timberwolves defeat the Warriors and cling to their hopes of competing in the playoffs this season.

If Gobert or Towns were healthy and competing, the Timberwolves would have plenty of reasons to trade him now. But with the team relying upon him to step up time and time again, and his ability to deliver, the Timberwolves appear to be wiser not to move him just yet.