Garza produced 12 points (3-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal across 17 minutes of Friday's 107-105 preseason loss to Toronto.
Neemias Queta made his first appearance of the preseason and was in the first unit, but he had a tough showing with five turnovers and three fouls in 17 minutes. Garza was far more impactful off the bench, and he was coming off a double-double in the preseason opener versus Memphis. While Queta seems to have the edge for now, Garza is making a concerted effort to become more involved.
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Celtics' Luka Garza: Double-doubles in preseason win
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Garza finished with 10 points (2-3 FG, 6-9 FT), 10 rebounds and one block in 16 minutes during Wednesday's preseason win over the Grizzlies.
Despite coming off the bench, Garza joined Derrick White as the only two Boston players to record a double-double. With Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford both shipped out during the offseason, the starting center spot is seemingly up for grabs. While it does appear as though Neemias Queta could get first crack at the role, this performance by Garza should at least keep him in the running. The position battle is something to keep an eye on, even once the regular season begins.
Garza agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Celtics on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Garza will get a new opportunity with the Celtics after the Timberwolves declined the team option on his contract Sunday. The Iowa product averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds across 5.6 minutes per game in 39 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. However, with Luke Kornet joining the Spurs and Al Horford exploring unrestricted free agency, Garza could be in line for an increased role in Boston.
The Timberwolves declined their team option for Garza on Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Garza is now set to hit free agency and explore opportunities elsewhere. The 26-year-old big man has struggled to find a consistent role through his first four seasons and saw just 5.6 minutes per game across 39 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign.
Garza racked up four points (2-2 FG) and two rebounds over seven minutes during Wednesday's 124-94 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
All five of Garza's playoff appearances this season came in games that were decided by at least 20 points. The 26-year-old big man averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.6 minutes across 39 regular-season appearances in 2024-25. Garza has a $2.35 million team option for 2025-26.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Cracks rotation Saturday
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Garza recorded seven points (3-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt) across five minutes during Saturday's 143-101 win over the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Garza appeared in a game for just the fourth time these playoffs, scoring a postseason-high seven points. With the result all but settled heading into the final quarter, Minnesota was able to trot out its fringe players, providing them with a rare opportunity to see the court. The Timberwolves will be looking to build on this performance when the two teams line up again in Game 4 on Monday night at Target Center.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Muted role continues Thursday
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Garza accumulated three points (1-1 FG, 1-2 FT) and one rebound across two minutes during Thursday's 105-90 victory over the Nets.
Garza made a garbage time appearance, playing fewer than 10 minutes for the 16th straight game. With both Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid healthy, Garza's purpose is as an emergency piece only. In his last 20 games, Garza is averaging 3.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per game.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Off injury report
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Garza (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Spurs.
Garza is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he will be able to play through it Sunday. Garza doesn't figure to see substantial minutes, especially now that Rudy Gobert (back) is back in the lineup.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Working through ankle sprain
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Garza is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against San Antonio due to a left ankle sprain.
Garza has been a healthy DNP for the Timberwolves' last two games, but it appears he is working through an ankle injury that puts his status for Sunday's game up in the air. The 2021 second-round pick has averaged 3.4 points and 2.0 rebounds over 7.6 minutes per game since the beginning of February.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Posts season-high 16 points
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Garza finished Thursday's 138-113 win over Utah with 16 points (6-8 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one block in 14 minutes.
Garza received increased playing time during Thursday's blowout win and recorded a season-high 16 points. While the 25-year-old big man is averaging 4.9 minutes across 16 appearances this season, his 60.0/41.7/70.0 shooting splits are impressive.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Garbage-time special
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Garza provided two points (1-2 FG) and four rebounds in four minutes during Saturday's 133-104 win over Denver.
Garza played fewer than five minutes for the fifth straight game, another in a string of unimpactful performances. He is not even an every-night part of the rotation, typically appearing only during garbage time. Across 14 games played, he averages just 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds.
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Timberwolves' Luka Garza: Plays tail end of blowout win
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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
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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
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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
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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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