The Minnesota Timberwolves are one loss away from elimination, but Naz Reid made it clear Tuesday night that panic is not part of the conversation inside the locker room.
After Minnesota’s 126-97 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, Reid repeatedly pointed to discipline, execution and experience as the keys heading into Friday’s Game 6 in Minneapolis.
“It kind of feed off of our mistakes,” Reid said after the loss. “It’s a hard-playing team. They’re in a situation they’re in for a reason. But we are as well. We just got to be more solid and take care of the ball sometimes and stop the ball at the point of attack.”
The Spurs overwhelmed Minnesota early behind Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The 22-year-old scored 18 points in the opening quarter alone and helped San Antonio grab control of the series with a 3-2 lead.
Reid finished with 12 points and five rebounds in 31 minutes, but Minnesota struggled offensively throughout the night, shooting 39% from the field and just 9-for-33 from three-point range.
When asked why the Timberwolves have struggled to establish rhythm offensively during the series, Reid admitted the answers were not immediately clear.
“That’s a good question,” Reid said. “I’ll have to watch the film and see, but just from the feeling of the game, I think we’re generating a lot of good shots. We just got to hit them, I guess.”
Minnesota briefly erased an 18-point deficit with a 14-2 run to open the third quarter, tying the game at 61. The comeback did not last long, and Reid pointed toward execution lapses and missed assignments afterward.
“We kind of walked over stuff for a reason,” Reid said. “We kind of got to follow the game plan. Obviously coaches know they put a lot of work in scouting doing what they’re doing. They’re not wrong.”
Reid also acknowledged the challenge players face balancing instinct with structure during playoff games.
“Sometimes you might have a feel to do x, y and z,” Reid said. “But that’s kind of when you get burnt on the game plan mistakes. Just being as solid as you can but obviously having feel in the game as well.”
The Timberwolves attempted only 33 threes Tuesday despite being one of the league’s more active perimeter teams during the regular season. Reid said San Antonio’s defense has changed the flow of Minnesota’s offense.
“I think they’re there to be had,” Reid said about the three-point opportunities. “Just got to make the right play.”
Despite the lopsided score, Reid repeatedly referenced Minnesota’s comeback against Denver in a previous playoff series after falling behind 3-2.
“Yeah, for sure. 100%,” Reid said. “That’s kind of where the experience comes in. It’s still three more games left. We know what situation we’re in. We’ve been in this situation before. So, it’s no time to panic.”
Reid believes the response now comes down to matching San Antonio’s physicality and pressure.
“Applying the same pressure they applying to us,” Reid said. “That’s all it is.”
Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves will try to extend their season and keep Wembanyama and the Spurs from advancing to the Western Conference finals.
