Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Hits for 29 in preseason loss
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Garza scored a team-high 29 points (11-17 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT) while adding nine rebounds and an assist in 32 minutes during Thursday's 132-126 preseason loss to the Nuggets.
While Denver trotted out its likely starting five for the regular season, Minnesota elected to rest all its key players, giving reserves like Garza a chance to shine. It's the second in five exhibition games that the 25-year-old center has come within one rebound of a 20-10 night. Despite those performances, Garza isn't expected to see consistent minutes in the regular season as part of a Timberwolves frontcourt that should be dominated by Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid (shoulder).
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Will start vs. Denver
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Garza will start in Thursday's preseason finale against the Nuggets.
The Timberwolves are not only resting their starters, but they're also resting their regular reserves for this contest. Garza will earn valuable minutes to show the coaching staff he can be an option down low behind Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid. He'll start alongside Josh Minott in the frontcourt.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Just misses double-double Friday
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Garza scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-8 Ft) while adding nine rebounds, an assist and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's preseason win over the Lakers.
The 25-year-old center played big minutes as the Timberwolves eased key frontcourt players like Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid into the preseason schedule. Garza isn't expected to have a big role for Minnesota once again in 2024-25, but the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle gives Garza a slightly clearer path to minutes at center should injuries hit the team's big men.
Garza and the Timberwolves agreed to a two-year deal Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Specifics of the deal are currently unknown, but this is likely a cap-friendly deal for the Timberwolves. Garza was used sparingly last season, appearing in 25 regular-season games with averages of 4.0 points and 1.2 rebounds. With Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid leading the frontcourt, Garza figures to be an end-of-bench depth piece again in 2024-25.
Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Converted to standard deal
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The Timberwolves converted Garza's two-way deal to a standard NBA contract Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
As a two-way player, Garza had been splitting time between the NBA and G League level season, making 21 appearances for Minnesota and 14 for the Iowa Wolves. He's seen a slight uptick in opportunities with the Timberwolves since Karl-Anthony Towns underwent surgery just over a month ago to address a torn meniscus, but Garza is still averaging a modest 7.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.7 minutes over his last seven outings. By moving him off his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract, Garza will now be eligible to play in the postseason, though the Timberwolves could have Towns available by that point.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Rare appearance Friday
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Garza posted no counting stats in one minute during Friday's 111-98 win over Denver.
Garza closed the game Friday, logging one minute in garbage time. He has been a non-factor once again this season, averaging 3.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per game. Even with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined due to a knee injury, Garza has been unable to carve out a meaningful role.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Plays 11 minutes
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Garza contributed eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and one rebound over 11 minutes during Monday's 114-104 win over the Jazz.
Garza saw some rare floor time Monday, as Rudy Gobert (ribs) did not play and Naz Reid left the game early with a head injury. Garza made the most of his limited minutes and is someone whom fantasy managers in very deep leagues can monitor while Gobert and Reid are being evaluated.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Scores nine points in 10 minutes
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Garza racked up nine points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 10 minutes during Sunday's 120-109 loss to the Lakers.
Garza saw minutes in the second half and made his presence felt on the offensive end, hitting a buzzer-beater in the third and finishing with nine points despite playing less than an entire quarter. The Timberwolves are dealing with absences in the frontcourt, and if Rudy Gobert (hamstring) ends up missing Tuesday's matchup against the Clippers, Garza could be in line for a bigger role as Naz Reid's primary backup.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Available for Friday
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Garza (back) will be available for Friday's game against the Rockets.
Garza will be back after a one-game absence, but he's not typically in the rotation for Minnesota.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Questionable for Friday
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Garza (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Rockets due to back spasms.
Garza is in danger of missing his second straight contest due to back spasms. However, his potential absence shouldn't affect Minnesota's rotation.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Ruled out Wednesday
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Garza (back) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Pelicans.
Garza has been downgraded from questionable to out for Wednesday's contest. His next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Houston.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Tending to back issue
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Garza is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans with low back spasms.
Garza hasn't played at the NBA or G League level since making a two-minute cameo for the Timberwolves on Dec. 20, and because he hasn't been featured on the injury report over the past two weeks, his appearance Wednesday is presumably the result of something that cropped up during practice. Even if Garza can move past the back issue ahead of Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET tipoff, he's unlikely to see any playing time unless the game turns into a blowout.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Recalled from G League
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The Timberwolves transferred Garza to the NBA roster from the G League's Iowa Wolves on Saturday.
Minnesota plays the Pacers on Saturday night, and Garza will provide the frontcourt with some emergency depth. He's not guaranteed any minutes.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Leads offense again in win
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Garza notched 38 points (14-24 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and in block over 34 minutes in Friday's 136-113 win over Cleveland.
Garza again led Iowa in scoring while ending one rebound short of a double-double along with a handful of assists in an all-around showing. Garza has averaged 36.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks over 36.1 minutes in three outings at the G League level this year.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Heads back to NBA
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Garza was transferred from the G League's Iowa Wolves to the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Garza was sent to Iowa on Wednesday morning to practice with the G League club, but he'll rejoin the Timberwolves a few hours later. He's been on the fringes of the rotation for the parent club this year and shouldn't see significant minutes moving forward.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Transferred to parent club
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Minnesota transferred Garza to the NBA club from the G League's Iowa Wolves on Tuesday.
Garza, Daishen Nix, Leonard Miller, Josh Minott and Wendell Moore were all sent to the G League earlier Tuesday to presumably practice but have since returned to the NBA club. Garza has made four NBA appearances this season, but he's yet to play more than five minutes in any contest.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Dominates in G League win
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Garza tallied 37 points (14-21 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block over 38 minutes in Friday's 125-117 win over Windy City.
Garza dominated in the G League season-opener against the Bulls, leading all Wolves players in scoring and rebounds while finishing three points short of the 40-point mark in a double-double appearance. Garza has played well in his time in the G League stemming back to last season as he bounces between the G League and the NBA again to start this year.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Shines against Maccabi
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Garza compiled 30 points (9-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 10-12 FT), four rebounds, three assists and a block across 32 minutes in Tuesday's 138-111 preseason win over Maccabi.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch gave minutes to several players who are competing for the final roster spots, and there's no question Garza stood out, leading the team in scoring while showing he can handle a more prominent responsibility if needed. Garza is competing for a backup spot in the frontcourt, though minutes will be hard to find with Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid on the roster as well. Don't be surprised if Garza starts the 2023-24 season in the G League.
