Karl-Anthony Towns will be stuck in the infirmary until at least mid-April. It is therefore a challenge to overcome for the Wolves, who must respond collectively, even if the player most concerned by this absence is undoubtedly Naz Reid.
He was already in this role last season, when “KAT” was already injured for a long time, and he quickly adapted, notably with 34 points in Cleveland then 25 against the Lakers, against whom he started, Rudy Gobert being injured. hamstrings.
“If we put pressure on ourselves, we start to think too much and get lost in this thinking,” he says facing this new costume. “I just go out on the field and play. I've been moving from one role to another and trying to keep things running smoothly. »
With an average of 19.5 points in four games, those without Karl-Anthony Towns, Naz Reid is the second best scorer on his team during this stretch. Plus good percentages: 49% shooting success and 46% at 3-points. “We need him to play like that right now”notes Chris Finch.
More minutes, more responsibilities
His playing time has also increased, including 42 minutes against the Lakers, his career best. “It’s not easy but I signed up for these moments”he reacts. “It’s my first time at this level and probably not the last. I'm ready to step in and do whatever I have to do. »
However, he had a little scare against the Clippers, getting injured in his first action, before coming back straight away and finishing with only 6 points and 5 rebounds. But as his numbers will undoubtedly increase by the end of the regular season and he was already having a solid year with an average of 12.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, can he claim the trophy for best sixth man of the year?
“He's super talented and since he's been in the league, I think he hasn't had too many opportunities to show himself with a lot of minutes,” estimates Mike Conley when talking about his teammate, who is one of the best scorers among the substitutes with Bobby Portis, Malik Monk or Norman Powell and Cole Anthony. “He will have this chance and we can rely on him. A healthy team with him coming off the bench is scary. »
| 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 | 65 | 24 | 48.4 | 41.9 | 75.7 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 12.8 |
| Total | 310 | 19 | 49.9 | 36.8 | 71.9 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 10.7 | |
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.
