{"id":557513,"date":"2026-03-24T13:04:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/557513\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:04:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:04:09","slug":"former-teammate-praises-luka-garzas-growth-with-celtics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/557513\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Teammate Praises Luka Garza\u2019s Growth With Celtics"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Sunday, March 22, Luka Garza faced off against his old team when the Minnesota Timberwolves visited the TD Garden. Unfortunately for the fifth-year big man, Minnesota snagged the win, defeating the Celtics<\/a> 102-92. Garza played 17 minutes in the loss, ending the night with 5 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist, shooting 2-of-7 from the field.<\/p>\n

When speaking to the media after the game, Timberwolves big man Naz Reid discussed Garza\u2019s growth with the Celtics this season, while also revealing a conversation he had with the big man during the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fun, I told him, he was at the free throw line, I was like \u2018d**n you got stronger\u2019 but it was good, you know, good to see him actually get real minutes in play and affect the game,\u201d Reid said.<\/a> \u201cAnd we all knew he could; it\u2019s just good to see it being done on another team and in a real game situation. I think that goes to the work that he put in, the way that he changed his body, and the hard work and dedication that he brings to the game. So, I\u2019m sure they love him here; we loved him in Minnesota, so I can only imagine how it is in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garza joined the Celtics during the summer, having failed to crack the Timberwolves’ rotation during his three-year tenure with the franchise. However, Garza has emerged as a reliable member of Boston\u2019s second unit, stretching the floor, controlling the glass and proving himself to be one of the better screeners in the NBA. He\u2019s also improved on the defensive end, which was previously a knock on his viability as an NBA-level center.<\/p>\n

With another year left on his contract in Boston, Garza will have plenty of opportunity to continue developing his game. Of course, he will face a fight with the recently acquired Nikola Vucevic, who is currently out injured. Nevertheless, Garza has been a welcome surprise this season, and judging by Reid\u2019s comments, Garza\u2019s rise has been a long time coming.<\/p>\n

More Celtics:\u00a0Celtics’ Derrick White Shares Wild Theory On Latest Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

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