Naz Reid says he was given the chance to play his own game as he helped the Minnesota Timberwolves to a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. (More Sports News)
𒆙For the first time in his career, Reid scored more than 25 points (27), 10 rebounds (13) and five assists (seven) in one game as he helped the Timberwolves to a 116-101 victory to stop Oklahoma City's seven-game winning streak.
❀He stepped up in the place of key absences, with Minnesota short-handed and playing without four of their eight top scorers, to ensure they bounced back from a narrow defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
🐼Reid says he took his chance to play with some freedom after posting impressive numbers for the Timberwolves.
𒈔"I got a chance to be me," Reid said in his on-court interview.
🎐"I think going out there and competing, putting myself in positions to score a rebound, pass the ball, whatever people need.
ඣ"I think this opportunity could've come to anybody."
🌺It is the first time in the NBA this season that the West-leading Thunder have not led in a game, as they were dealt a disappointing result ahead of the All-Star break.
⛦The Timberwolves had done well to keep Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quiet, as the NBA's leading scorer at 32.6 points per game ahead of Thursday’s match-up, had his streak of 25-point games end at 22. He finished just short on 24.
ඣAsked how they managed to keep the Thunder at bay, Reid acknowledged the team's hard work, especially how they bounced back following Wednesday's defeat.
🏅"I think we were tired [against the Bucks]. It's not an excuse. It's just reality," Reid added.
🎐"Things happen, and we just told each other that we had to step up big. We were down a couple of guys, so everybody had to step up big, and we all did.
🐻"We didn't turn the ball over. We got a lot of shot opportunities, and then, I think, defensively, we were all locked in and engaged."
