LUKA GARZA NEWS

Luka Garza stands out because of his offense. He stuck with the Timberwolves because of his work ethic Timberwolves coach Chris Finch wasn’t overly thrilled with the collective performance of his team in Minnesota’s exhibition finale Thursday....

OCTOBER 18 • TWINCITIES.COM

Hits for 29 in preseason loss 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.

Impact 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 T-wolves frontcourt that should be dominated by Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Naz Reid (shoulder).

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Will start vs. Denver Garza will start in Thursday's preseason finale against the Nuggets.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Just misses double-double Friday 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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to Minnesota Garza and the Timberwolves agreed to a two-year deal Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Impact 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 games with averages of 4.0 points and 1.2 rebounds.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Timberwolves sign Luka Garza to NBA contract, making him eligible for the playoffs The fan favorite had been on a two-way deal, splitting the season between Minnesota and Iowa.

APRIL 4 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Wolves C Luka Garza converted to standard contract The Minnesota Timberwolves are converting center Luka Garza’s two-way deal to a standard contract.Garza’s agents from Klutch Sports confirme...

APRIL 4 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Converted to standard deal The Timberwolves converted Garza's two-way deal to a standard contract Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Garza has split time between the NBA and G League this season as a two-way player but will now spend the rest of the 2023-24 campaign with the Timberwolves. With Karl Anthony-Towns (knee) out, Garza has seen increased playing time, averaging 6.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.8 minutes across his last 10 appearances.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Rare appearance Friday Garza posted no counting stats in one minute during Friday's 111-98 win over Denver.

Impact Garza closed the game Friday, logging one minute in garbage time. He has been a non-factor once again this season, averaging 3.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per game. Even with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined due to a knee injury, Garza has been unable to carve out a meaningful role.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 11 minutes Garza contributed eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and one rebound over 11 minutes during Monday's 114-104 win over the Jazz.

Impact Garza saw some rare floor time Monday, as Rudy Gobert (ribs) did not play and Naz Reid left the game early with a head injury. Garza made the most of his limited minutes Monday, and is someone that fantasy managers in very deep leagues can monitor while Gobert and Reid are being evaluated.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Scores nine points in 10 minutes Garza racked up nine points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist in 10 minutes during Sunday's 120-109 loss to the Lakers.

Impact Garza saw minutes in the second half and made his presence felt on the offensive end, hitting a buzzer-beater in the third and finishing with nine points despite playing less than an entire quarter. The Timberwolves are dealing with absences in the frontcourt, and if Rudy Gobert (hamstring) ends up missing Tuesday's matchup against the Clippers, then Garza could be in line for a bigger role as Naz Reid's primary backup alternative.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Available for Friday Garza (back) will be available for Friday's game against the Rockets.

Impact Garza will be back after a one-game absence, but he's not typically in the rotation for Minnesota.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Friday Garza (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Rockets due to back spasms.

Impact Garza is in danger of missing his second straight contest due to back spasms. However, his potential absence shouldn't affect Minnesota's rotation.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Wednesday Garza (back) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Pelicans.

Impact Garza has been downgraded from questionable to out for Wednesday's contest. His next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with Houston.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Tending to back issue Garza is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans with low back spasms.

Impact Garza hasn't played at the NBA or G League level since making a two-minute cameo for the Timberwolves on Dec. 20, and because he hasn't been featured on the injury report over the past two weeks, his appearance Wednesday is presumably the result of something that cropped up during practice. Even if Garza is able to move past the back issue ahead of Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET tipoff, he's unlikely to see any playing time unless the game turns into a blowout.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Leads offense again in win Garza notched 38 points (14-24 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and in block over 34 minutes in Friday's 136-113 win over Cleveland.

Impact Garza again led Iowa in scoring while ending one rebound short of a double-double along with a handful of assists in an all-around showing. Garza has averaged 36.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks over 36.1 minutes in three outings at the G League level this year.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from G League The Timberwolves transferred Garza from the G League's Iowa Wolves on Saturday.

Impact Minnesota plays the Pacers on Saturday night, and Garza will provide their frontcourt with some emergency depth. He's not guaranteed any minutes.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to NBA Garza was transferred from the G League's Iowa Wolves to the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Impact Garza was sent to Iowa on Wednesday morning to practice with the G League club, but he'll rejoin the Timberwolves a few hours later. He's been on the fringes of the rotation for the parent club this year and shouldn't see significant minutes moving forward.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to parent club Minnesota transferred Garza to the NBA club from the G League's Iowa Wolves on Tuesday.

Impact Garza, Daishen Nix, Leonard Miller, Josh Minott and Wendell Moore were all sent to the G League earlier Tuesday to presumably practice but have since returned to the NBA club. Garza has made four NBA appearances this season, but he's yet to play more than five minutes.

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominates in G League win Garza tallied 37 points (14-21 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block over 38 minutes in Friday's 125-117 win over Windy City.

Impact Garza dominated in the G League season-opener against the Bulls, leading all Wolves players in scoring and rebounds while finishing three points short of the 40-point mark in a double-double appearance. Garza has played well in his time in the G League stemming back to last season as he bounces between the G League and the NBA again to start this year.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shines against Maccabi Garza compiled 30 points (9-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 10-12 FT), four rebounds, three assists and a block across 32 minutes in Tuesday's 138-111 preseason win over Maccabi.

Impact Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch gave minutes to several players who are competing for the final roster spots, and there's no question Garza stood out, leading the team in scoring while showing he can handle a more prominent responsibility if needed. Garza is competing for a backup spot in the frontcourt, though minutes will be hard to find with Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid on the roster as well. Don't be surprised if Garza starts the 2023-24 season in the G League.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

4-star forward Keita impressed with Iowa, Luka Garza's dominance Keita breaks down the latest with the Hawkeyes.

JULY 17, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

Look out Olympics! Here comes Timberwolves Luka Garza If you were wondering what former Minnesota Timberwolves now-turned-free-agent center Luka Garza is up to, I am happy to report that he has...

JUNE 1, 2023 • DUNKINGWITHWOLVES.COM

Returns to NBA club Garza was transferred from the G League's Iowa Wolves to the NBA club Sunday.

Impact Garza posted 47 points and 15 rebounds in Iowa's final regular-season game, but the team is out of the playoff picture, so the big man will fill his typical reserve role for the Timberwolves during the final weeks of the NBA regular season. Garza posted 31.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.8 assits and 1.3 blocks across six G League contests.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to G League The Timberwolves transferred Garza to the Iowa Wolves of the G League on Wednesday.

Impact Garza is one of Minnesota's two-way players, so he will likely continue to move between the two levels to keep sharp. However, he has only appeared in two of the Timberwolves' last eight games, so he should see more playing time in Iowa.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE