The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in a tough race for the postseason in the Western Conference standings. Since their early inconsistent play, they have rebounded and have shown vast improvements during the second half of the season. Even so, they are just one of several teams fighting for playoff position with a mere handful of games left in the regular season. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, injury struck as they will have to go the final stretch of the season without backup center Naz Reid. Naz Reid suffered a fractured left wrist injury this week and will be sidelined for at least six weeks as per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid will undergo surgery on his fractured left wrist and will be sidelined for six weeks, sources tell ESPN. Reid's had his best NBA season — 11.5 points on 54 percent shooting and 4.9 rebounds. He'll be a free agent this summer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 31, 2023
That timetable would place Naz Reid's return to the Timberwolves from injury somewhere around early May. Should the Timberwolves advance that far in the playoffs, it's conceivable that they might have Reid back. But advancing that far in the Western Conference is a daunting task. In all likelihood, the next time Reid steps foot on an NBA court will be next season.
It's a crucial blow for Reid who is set to hit free agency this offseason. He had become one of the NBA's most productive big men off the bench. This season Reid averaged 11.5 points per game and 4.9 rebounds with shooting splits of 53.7 percent shooting from the field, 34.6 percent shooting from the three-point line and 67.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line. He played in 68 games for the Timberwolves including 11 starts.
Without Reid, the Timberwolves are looking to stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race. As it stands, they sit at 39-38 and in seventh place in the standings which would place them in the play-in tournament.
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