After the dust had settled on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ series-opening statement win over the Denver Nuggets, the box score confirmed a 43-point scorer, timely performances from their All-Star pairing, and a defensive effort that kept the reigning champions under 100 points. But, when asked to outline the key variable that ensured their success, one answer remained constant: Naz Reid. Already on the cusp of turning the fourth quarter into his own personal highlight reel, the game-altering big man ups his ante, sneaking into the paint with all eyes focused on his teammate’s 3-point attempt. Taking flight, and ready to punish the Nuggets for failing to box him out, Reid explodes into a ferocious one-handed putback, pushing Minnesota’s late-game lead to five. 10 days removed from hoisting the NBA’s 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year Award, Reid approached Game One as if he had a different, team-oriented trophy in mind. Highlighted by a stretch in which he scored 10 consecutive points by his lonesome, Reid turned in 16 points — 14 in the decisive fourth quarter — while also tallying up four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two triples, invaluable in helping engineer the win on May 4, 2024. · May 4, 2024