Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Plays tail end of blowout win
Rotowire
Garza tallied four points (2-2 FG) and recorded a foul in three minutes of court time in Thursday's 104-89 win over the Magic.
The appearance was Garza's first since Dec. 19. The fourth-year center had missed some time over the past three weeks due to a left ankle sprain, but he was cleared to return to action Monday and had been held out of the last two games in coach's decisions before taking the court in garbage time Thursday. Garza is likely to find himself outside of the rotation throughout the season unless the Timberwolves are without at least one of Rudy Gobert or Naz Reid in a given game.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Available to play Monday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) is listed as available for Monday's game against the Clippers.
Garza will return to action following an eight-game absence due to a left-ankle sprain. However, the big man's availability shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation, as he has averaged only 5.1 minutes per contest over nine regular-season appearances.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Iffy for Monday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Clippers.
Garza is in jeopardy of missing his ninth consecutive contest due to a left-ankle sprain. However, the big man's potential absence shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation, as he has averaged 5.1 minutes per game over nine regular-season appearances.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Remaining sidelined Saturday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pistons.
Garza will remain in street clothes for an eighth straight game due to a sprained left ankle. His next chance to play will come Monday against the Clippers. Garza's absence against Detroit should have a minimal impact on Minnesota's rotation.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Still sidelined
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Boston.
Garza is idle for a seventh straight game due to a sprained left ankle. His next chance to play will come Saturday at Detroit.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Remains out Monday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Thunder.
Garza won't play on Monday as he continues to nurse an ankle sprain, which will keep him out for a sixth straight contest. He has played only nine games this season, averaging 3.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Still out Sunday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Spurs.
Garza will miss his fifth straight contest Sunday due to a left ankle sprain. His next chance to suit up is Tuesday's matchup with the Thunder.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Another absence coming
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) is out for Friday's game versus the Rockets.
Garza's absence streak will extend to four games Friday due to a left ankle sprain. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with San Antonio.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Still out
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) won't play in Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.
Garza will miss a third straight game due to a left ankle sprain. As a fringe rotation piece, Garza's absence shouldn't have much fantasy impact. His next chance to play will come Friday at Houston.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Out for Monday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Hawks.
Garza will miss his second consecutive game due to a sprained left ankle. The 25-year-old's absence shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation, as he has played in only nine games this season.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Ruled out Saturday
Rotowire
Garza (ankle) won't play in Saturday's game against the Warriors.
Garza has appeared in just nine NBA games this season, so his absence shouldn't have much fantasy impact. Garza is dealing with a sprained left ankle. His next chance to play will come Monday at Atlanta.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Iffy against Golden State
Rotowire
Garza is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Warriors due to a left ankle sprain.
Garza has been an inconsistent part of Minnesota's rotation this season, averaging 3.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.1 minutes across nine appearances. If Garza is ultimately ruled out, his absence shouldn't significantly impact the Timberwolves' rotation.
Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Hits for 29 in preseason loss
Rotowire
Garza scored a team-high 29 points (11-17 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT) while adding nine rebounds and an assist in 32 minutes during Thursday's 132-126 preseason loss to the Nuggets.
While Denver trotted out its likely starting five for the regular season, Minnesota elected to rest all its key players, giving reserves like Garza a chance to shine. It's the second in five exhibition games that the 25-year-old center has come within one rebound of a 20-10 night. Despite those performances, Garza isn't expected to see consistent minutes in the regular season as part of a Timberwolves frontcourt that should be dominated by Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid (shoulder).
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Will start vs. Denver
Rotowire
Garza will start in Thursday's preseason finale against the Nuggets.
The Timberwolves are not only resting their starters, but they're also resting their regular reserves for this contest. Garza will earn valuable minutes to show the coaching staff he can be an option down low behind Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid. He'll start alongside Josh Minott in the frontcourt.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Just misses double-double Friday
Rotowire
Garza scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-8 Ft) while adding nine rebounds, an assist and a steal in 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's preseason win over the Lakers.
The 25-year-old center played big minutes as the Timberwolves eased key frontcourt players like Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid into the preseason schedule. Garza isn't expected to have a big role for Minnesota once again in 2024-25, but the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle gives Garza a slightly clearer path to minutes at center should injuries hit the team's big men.
Garza and the Timberwolves agreed to a two-year deal Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Specifics of the deal are currently unknown, but this is likely a cap-friendly deal for the Timberwolves. Garza was used sparingly last season, appearing in 25 regular-season games with averages of 4.0 points and 1.2 rebounds. With Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid leading the frontcourt, Garza figures to be an end-of-bench depth piece again in 2024-25.
Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Converted to standard deal
Rotowire
The Timberwolves converted Garza's two-way deal to a standard NBA contract Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
As a two-way player, Garza had been splitting time between the NBA and G League level season, making 21 appearances for Minnesota and 14 for the Iowa Wolves. He's seen a slight uptick in opportunities with the Timberwolves since Karl-Anthony Towns underwent surgery just over a month ago to address a torn meniscus, but Garza is still averaging a modest 7.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.7 minutes over his last seven outings. By moving him off his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract, Garza will now be eligible to play in the postseason, though the Timberwolves could have Towns available by that point.
