The San Antonio Spurs won decisively, and by the end of Game 5 the Minnesota Timberwolves were being pushed back to the drawing board. During the broadcast, Reggie Miller said the Wolves should consider starting Naz Reid over Rudy Gobert, a suggestion that landed after another difficult offensive night for Gobert.
Gobert struggled offensively in Game 4 and did so again in Game 5, while Anthony Edwards appeared visibly frustrated when passes to the big man did not turn into clean catches. Victor Wembanyama, the Defensive Player of the Year winner, has made the matchup far more complicated for Minnesota by giving Gobert an easier player to guard and help off of, which has thrown a wrench into the Wolves' offensive attack.
That is why Reid is suddenly part of the conversation. He has arguably been Minnesota's second-best player in the series and has shot well from outside, making him the sort of spacing option that could change the shape of the offense. Starting Reid would give the Timberwolves five capable shooters, and it could pull Wembanyama farther from the basket, a shift that might create more room for Edwards to attack.
The tradeoff is obvious. Benching Gobert would likely cost Minnesota something on defense, and the Wolves still have him tasked with stopping Wembanyama. That matchup has already been difficult: Wembanyama had several strong games against Gobert during the regular season, and he has carried that edge into this series.
For Minnesota, the question is not whether Reid can score. It is whether the Wolves are willing to reshape the lineup to get more offensive balance, knowing the move could weaken the rim protection they have leaned on all season. With the Spurs dictating the terms of the matchup, that decision may be the one that decides whether the Wolves can settle this series or keep searching for answers.
