The Timberwolves' sixth man shares how staying active and focusing on intangibles helped him break out of his slump.
After struggling to find his rhythm early in the 2025-26 season, Naz Reid has rediscovered his form by doing what got him here in the first place: the little things that don't always show up in the box score but make all the difference on the court.
Following Minnesota's 120-109 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, Reid opened up about his early-season struggles and the mindset shift that helped him turn things around, and his words offered a blueprint for any player working through a rough patch.
Finding Success Through Effort
"I started the season in a slump, but being active, keeping myself involved, being on the offensive glass, playing defense," Reid explained after dropping 28 points in the win. "All that good stuff, diving on the floor - whatever I can do...It's good karma that came my way but I think that's just part of the game."
The 26-year-old center's recent performances back up his philosophy, as Reid has been on an impressive three-game stretch that shows he's found his groove by focusing on the basics.
Against Dallas on Monday, he poured in 22 points while grabbing 12 rebounds, and he followed that up with his 28-point explosion against Washington on 11-for-21 shooting, including an efficient 5-for-10 from beyond the arc.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Reid's season averages of 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game don't fully capture his impact on the Timberwolves' success this season, but his recent hot stretch demonstrates what happens when he stays engaged on both ends of the floor.
Over his last three games, Reid has averaged 24.3 points while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range, providing exactly the kind of spark Minnesota needs from its bench.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has embraced his role as a leader for Minnesota's second unit, and his commitment to the intangibles has been just as important as his scoring.
His work on the offensive glass, defensive effort, and willingness to dive for loose balls have helped the Timberwolves establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the Western Conference.
Timberwolves Rolling After Wizards Win
Minnesota improved to 10-5 on the season with Wednesday's victory, maintaining their position as one of the top teams in the West while Washington dropped to 1-13 and extended their losing streak to 12 games.
The Timberwolves' balanced attack continues to be a strength, with Julius Randle adding 32 points and Anthony Edwards chipping in 18 despite struggling with his shot.
Reid's philosophy of staying involved regardless of whether shots are falling has become a cornerstone of Minnesota's success this season, and his recent performances prove that good things happen when players trust the process and focus on the details that help their team win.
As the Timberwolves continue their push toward the playoffs, Reid's commitment to the intangibles will be just as valuable as his scoring ability, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win makes him one of the most important players in Minnesota's rotation.