Naz Reid powered the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3) to a 114-93 victory against the Charlotte Hornets (2-5) on Monday night. He scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, making a significant impact on both ends of the court.
Anthony Edwards supported the effort with 21 points, while Donte DiVincenzo contributed 14 points. Julius Randle added 13 points as the Timberwolves displayed their offensive depth throughout the game.
The Timberwolves excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 18 of 38 three-point attempts for a 47.4% shooting percentage. In contrast, the Hornets struggled, making only 10 of 42 attempts from long range, which equates to 23.8%.
Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball led the team in scoring with 19 points. Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, and Tre Mann each added 10 points in a collective effort, but it was not enough to secure a win.
The game shifted in favor of the Timberwolves early in the second quarter. Tied at 24, a 13-2 run, featuring three-pointers from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and DiVincenzo, allowed Minnesota to take the lead for good.
The Timberwolves established a substantial advantage, leading by as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter. This cushion enabled first-round draft picks Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. to make their debuts at Target Center.
Despite their solid performance, the Hornets faced challenges due to injuries. They were without starting center Mark Williams, who is sidelined with a strained left foot tendon, and backup big man Nick Richards, who is dealing with a sore shoulder.
Rudy Gobert contributed defensively, adding eight points and eight rebounds, all of which came from dunks. The Timberwolves’ strong rebounding performance helped them control the pace of the game.
Reid’s shooting efficiency was notable, as he finished 9 for 13 from the field, including 5 for 7 from three-point range. Edwards and Mike Conley also displayed accuracy from deep, combining for several successful attempts.
