Both Josh Minott and Luka Garza were on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ roster for each of the previous three seasons. Fans became accustomed to seeing them mostly on the bench, as neither found their way into the rotation full-time.
Now the Timberwolves will see them both on Saturday, as both joined their opponent, the Celtics, this offseason. Both Minnott and Garza also have much bigger roles for Boston this season.
Josh Minott was in the starting lineup this season
Let’s start with Minott. The recently turned 23-year-old was selected 45th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Most of his tenure with the Timberwolves consisted of receiving garbage minutes. In three years he played in 93 games, averaging just five minutes.
This offseason, Minott agreed to a two-year deal worth just under $5 million (second year is a club option). It was a wise investment for Boston to grab the 6-foot-1 forward on a minimum contract.
Minott started nine straight games in late October/early November. Although he has come off the bench in his last six appearances, he is still very much in the rotation. This year, Minott is averaging 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists with .511/.417/.800 shooting splits.
Luka Garza is firmly in Boston’s rotation
Garza was named the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year for 2020-21 and was taken in the second round (52nd overall) by the Pistons. After spending his rookie year with Detroit, Garza joined the Timberwolves where he would spend his next three seasons. In total, the 6-foot-1 center saw action in 92 games, averaging just 6.3 minutes.
Like Minott, Garza joined the Celtics this offseason on a two-year minimum contract (no club option in the second year). The 26-year-old Garza, like Minott, also sees much more time for Boston.
In his 16 appearances, Garza is averaging 6.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 14.6 minutes. So far this season he has already scored five times reaching double figures. Garza did this 12 times in his three years at Minnesota.
While the Timberwolves are up against two players they know well, it’s also a big game for them to try to stop the bleeding. They have lost three in a row and are looking to avoid their first four-game losing streak in about a year.
Minnesota is also trying to win its first game against a winning team (Celtics have the same 10-8 record as the Timberwolves), as they are 0-7 against teams above .500.
#Timberwolves #face #familiar #faces #roles #Saturday