Naz

Reid

Randle is dealing with a sore left thumb, which is problematic since he’s a left-handed shooter. He’s yet to miss a game this season, but an absence could push Jaylen Clark into the starting lineup. No Randle would also raise Naz Reid’s ceiling, even if he’s used in his usual reserve role.

Reid, who’s reached double figures in four straight and six of his last seven games, had one of his best all-around games of the month on Saturday. The six three-pointers were a new season-high, and he was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Over the past month, Reid has been a top-40 player in fantasy basketball according to Basketball Monster. If he’s sitting on the waiver wire in a shallow league, don’t hesitate to pick him up.

With Rudy Gobert initially questionable for Thursday’s game with a sprained left ankle, it appeared that Reid would have a chance to start. Gobert (14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal) played, but his presence in the lineup didn’t keep Reid from doing what he usually does as the highest-scoring reserve in the NBA. Over the past two weeks, he has been close to a top-50 player in eight-cat formats.

Gobert played 21 minutes against the Mavericks on Wednesday, and the team may have been monitoring his soreness with that smaller amount of court time. If the team opts to hold him out for the second game of a back-to-back, Naz Reid would likely step into a much larger role, albeit in a tough matchup against the Thunder.

Reid has scored 20 points or more in ten games this season, with five occurring since January 1. The Timberwolves’ forward/center once again offered excellent value off the bench, and he’s reached double figures in four of his last five games. Minnesota still has two more games on its Week 15 schedule, starting with the Thunder on Thursday.

It continues to come inconsistently, but Reid has been a fantasy beast at times this season. Usually, that’s because of an offensive explosion, which held true in this game. However, it was the defensive impact that made this so impressive. The blocks were a new season high for him, and for a player only averaging 0.9 blocks per game this year, that isn’t a category that managers have relied on from him. He’ll look to stay hot against the Warriors on Saturday.

Randle, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo are the only players to play in all 44 games this season, so the expectation is that Randle will do what he can to get onto the court. Randle was also present at shootaround earlier on Thursday, so the injury is likely not severe. If he doesn’t play, Reid would likely slide into the starting lineup with Joan Beringer entering the rotation.

Reid exited Saturday’s matchup with the Spurs early with the shoulder injury, but he’ll be back in action without missing a game. With Rudy Gobert (hip) also available, Reid should occupy his usual spot off the bench.

Reid, who started for Rudy Gobert, left Saturday’s loss to the Spurs during the first half with a sore left shoulder. Gobert’s off the injury report, so he’ll be back in the starting lineup. If Reid can’t play against the Jazz, rookie Joan Beringer may enter the rotation.

Gobert missed Saturday’s game, but he’ll return to take on his former team. Naz Reid will head back to the bench, though he is questionable with a shoulder issue. His status will determine if Joan Beringer is part of the rotation or not.