You have to believe that playing on the Lakers floor is something he likes. “ I just stand in the light. I don't know. I just go out on the field and be competitive every chance I get to play. It happened to be on television. “, modestly attempts to explain Naz Reid.
A month ago, the interior of the Wolves, already propelled into the five, had already planted 25 points in a defeat against the Californians. He was even stronger on Sunday against the same opponents in their gym.
Visibly liberated by the premature exit of Anthony Davis, Naz Reid unleashed himself with 18 points in the second quarter of the match alone, being almost perfect on shots: 18 points at 7/8 including 4/5 from distance ! The kind of heatwave that can only cause Anthony Edwards and the others to fuel it. “ Continue to serve it, on every action. At this point he can't miss anything », Describes the rear.
A distant festival, but also close to the circle where we even saw him perform “euro-step” with a left hand finish. The sign of a player with full confidence and at his technical peak. And who takes advantage of the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns to show himself more as a starter by lining up the offensive cards.
Taking advantage of Malik Monk's absence?
“ He changes every game for us. He's impactful every night and now that KAT is injured, even though KAT is a unique player, Naz was able to kind of take advantage of that and impact every game for us and dominate. To me, that’s what a sixth man does. It gives you that extra boost, that second wind and Naz has done it all year », greets Rudy Gobert, author of 18 points (9/13) and 16 rebounds.
His racket partner scored 31 points (12/16 on shots including 6/8 from distance) and 11 rebounds. His first career match with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds which confirms his current form: 18 points (48% including 42% at 3-points) and 7 rebounds on average since he started around mid-March.
His name goes back thus logically among punters for the title of best substitute of the year. Always in competition with Norman Powell or Bobby Portis, he doesn't hide thinking about it very hard. “ It's something I want, I'm very hungry. I think the impact, our results, our ranking demonstrate it. I really want it », repeats the one who could benefit from the absence until the end of the season of the favorite of this race, Malik Monk.
For Anthony Edwards, there is no doubt: “ Naz Reid is clearly the sixth man of the year. We are number 1 in the West. He had several 30-point games. It’s thanks to him that we win, in large part. KAT has been on the sidelines for a while and we are still able to win, it's thanks to Naz. »
| Naz Reid | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | MIN | 30 | 17 | 41.2 | 33.0 | 69.8 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 9.0 |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 70 | 19 | 52.3 | 35.1 | 69.3 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 11.2 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 77 | 16 | 48.9 | 34.3 | 76.5 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 8.3 |
| 2022-23 | MIN | 68 | 18 | 53.7 | 34.6 | 67.7 | 1.1 | 3.8 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 11.5 |
| 2023-24 | MIN | 76 | 24 | 47.7 | 41.1 | 75.8 | 0.9 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 13.3 |
| Total | 321 | 19 | 49.6 | 36.9 | 72.1 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 10.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
