Minnesota Timberwolves forward Luka Garza was front in center at NBA All-Star Weekend leading his team to a 178-162 victory in the NBA G-League’s “Next Up” Game on Sunday afternoon.
Garza came into the game as a captain along with Scoot Henderson, who plays for the G-League Ignite and is projected as the second overall pick in next year’s draft behind super-prospect Victor Wenbamyama.
After selecting his team, Garza balled out, putting up 23 points and eight rebounds while shooting 9-for-16 from the floor on his way to MVP honors.
HAWKEYE ON HAWKEYE!
Luka Garza PLUS the foul on his former Iowa teammate Tyler Cook 🔥 @iawolves pic.twitter.com/QHkUbwRVtm
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 19, 2023
After the game, Garza credited his performance to his ability to draft the team around him.
“I think I did solid,” Garza said after he was announced as MVP. “It just helped having a really good team — I picked well. I put my GM hat on and got the best players in the G-League. I’m excited we got the dub.”
The performance isn’t surprising to Timberwolves fans who have watched the former Hawkeye breakout in his second season. Garza averaged 29.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in nine games with the Iowa Wolves this season and is averaging 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 22 games with the Timberwolves.
Garza’s NBA stats don’t seem to be a big deal, but he’s made significant progress in his shooting percentage, 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage from his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons.
Garza isn’t the only Timberwolves player that could make noise at All-Star Weekend as Anthony Edwards is set to play in the NBA All-Star Game as a reserve on Sunday night.
