There were a lot of positive things for the Minnesota Timberwolves to take from their 122-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, but the case could be made that the most important part of that timely W was the fact that it served as another potential breakout game for forward Naz Reid.

Reid tallied 18 points off the bench to help push the Timberwolves to a decisive 17-point victory, shooting 7-of-13 from the field overall in the win and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Reid scored 10 of his 18 points in the second quarter to help put Minnesota ahead after a slow start in the first, in addition to tallying three rebounds and an assist. 

When asked by a reporter during shootaround on Monday whether he considered Sunday’s game to be a breakout performance, Reid agreed that it was. The Timberwolves forward also pointed out the team’s depth, which allows a new scorer to step in and fill a primary role while superstar Anthony Edwards works to make his way back from a hamstring injury. 

“Yeah, I would say (Charlotte was a breakout performance),” Reid said. “I just stay sticking with it, you know, doing what I do best. Sometimes it's not going to go well. Sometimes it's going to go really well. Sometimes it's going to go okay.  You know, just trying to stick with it. Long season. Got a lot of really good players on the team. A lot of things might happen. 

“One guy may have 20, one guy may have 80. It's just that we have a lot of really good players offensively. And, you know, whatever happens, happens. As long as I put my best foot forward and have my best energy and effort, I mean, I think I’ll be alright.”

Confirming The Theory

That theory proved true in the Timberwolves’ 125-109 win over the Nets on Monday. Four of the Timberwolves’ five starters tallied at least 15 points, in addition to Reid tallying 21 points of his own in 14 minutes off the bench. Donte led the team with 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting, while Jaden McDaniels chipped in 21 points for the Timberwolves on 9-of-11 shooting.

The Timberwolves will look to build on the momentum they’ve accrued over the last two games and win a third straight game on Wednesday on the road against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off for that game is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.