Naz Reid scores 33 points off the bench as Timberwolves waltz past Bulls

Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Dec 29, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

CHICAGO — As the Timberwolves have trudged through the first two-plus months of the season, they have often played better basketball in second halves than first, especially against opponents they should beat.

Rarely does the burst of energy come in the second quarter, which is when the Wolves first showed up in what became an easy 136-101 victory over the Bulls on Monday night at United Center.

The Wolves erased a nine-point deficit and grabbed a five-point lead by halftime. Then they buried the Bulls with a 40-28 third quarter.

Naz Reid had 33 off the bench, one shy of his career high, and Anthony Edwards finished with 23 points for the Wolves.

What it means

The Wolves came into the game after losing two straight, including a loss to the Nets on Saturday that was their most lifeless performance of the season. While the first quarter felt like more of the same (the Wolves trailed 23-21 after one), they got their act together for the next 36 minutes and got an easy win.

Their challenge is to play with that consistency on a night to night and quarter to quarter basis, something they have not done. But after a loss that had a lot of bad energy, the Wolves had an injection of good vibes in the first game of a four-game road trip.

Reid’s big night

When the Wolves were struggling offensively early, Reid was one of the only players to have it going offensively. He had eight of their 21 first-quarter points, then he took off in the second half after scoring 20 points or more just once in the previous 17 games.

Picking up the pace

Edwards took just one shot attempt and two free throws during the first quarter. When he checked back in halfway through the second quarter he had much more energy. He drove to the hoop then hit a pair of 3s on his first three possessions. With him back in it, the Wolves turned a nine-point deficit into a lead with a 15-2 run. They led 55-50.

Julius Randle didn’t score in the first quarter, but he was more aggressive in the second quarter with eight points. He finished with 17 points and 14 assists.

Bulls lose two

Coby White, rumored to be a trade target for the Wolves, left the game because of a calf injury for the Bulls. Then guard Josh Giddey left the game after grabbing the back of his left leg at the start of the third quarter. He was then listed as out because of a left hamstring injury.

Issues taking off

Like many people trying to fly out of Minnesota during a snowstorm, the Wolves ran into delays Sunday. What should have been a quick flight to Chicago turned into a six-hour plus experience, with the team staying on the plane most of that time. They did not have a mandatory team shootaround Monday morning in part because of the late arrival, which was early evening instead of the afternoon.