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Garza's modest 7.5 points per game this season don't necessarily jump off the page. Look deeper though, and it's understandable why he's earned the trust of coach Joe Mazzulla. Garza leads the team with 48.9 percent shooting from 3 and a stellar 71.8 true shooting percentage. He never takes bad shots. His 20.6 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is behind only Jaylen Brown on the team. And that box score metric doesn't even begin to capture the hustle plays that he has become known for. "He’s been really good for us," Mazzulla told The Sporting News, pointing to Garza’s shooting, scoring, rebounding, and screening.
Growing up, he pored through old VHS tapes of superstars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin McHale, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Nobody put more work in than him at becoming an old school post-up master. It took great humility to give that part of his game up. "Obviously, I love playing in the post. I will always love playing in the post. Any opportunity I get in there, I'm going to try to," Garza said. "But the role I have on this team emphasizes my screening, my ability to stretch the floor, crashing the glass. And having a role and being able to impact winning is amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Jon Krawczinski: Wolves did a nice little welcome back video for Luka Garza and Josh Minott. Chris Finch called Garza a "culture driver" when he was here.
Taylor Snow: FINAL: Celtics 121, Clippers 118 ☘️ Brown: 33 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL ☘️ Pritchard: 30 PTS (8-13), 4 REB ☘️ White: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 9 AST, 2 BLK ☘️ Queta: 14 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST ☘️ Garza: 13 PTS, 4 REB
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And, according to Noah Basketball, a data service NBA teams use that tracks how many shots players take – and make – at practices and shootarounds, Garza attempted more practice shots last year than any player in the NBA. (Only two NBA teams – one of them being the Celtics – don’t utilize that service). “The person who shot the most shots in practice, and after practice, in all of the NBA was Luka Garza – a little bit over 42,000 shots,” Frank said, his voice teeming with pride. “And the person who was next closest to him was about 12,000 shots away. So here’s a guy in Minneapolis who’s not getting any time, and is practicing three or four times more than any other player.”
Anfernee Simons ignited the Celtics in the first half, Luka Garza shifted the momentum late and Jordan Walsh provided the finishing touches to steer the Celtics to a 111-107 road win over the Magic on Sunday. Simons poured in all 25 of his points before the break, putting on a show in his hometown. Garza contributed 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in 17 minutes and delivered in the clutch. Walsh canned a big-time corner 3 with 13.2 seconds remaining to extend the margin to five, and Boston held on from there.
Taylor Snow: FINAL: Celtics 125, Cavaliers 105 ☘️ Brown: 30 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST ☘️ Hauser: 21 PTS (7-13 3P), 3 REB ☘️ White: 19 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST ☘️ Simons: 14 PTS (4-6 3P) ☘️ Minott: 11 PTS, 14 REB, 3 STL ☘️ Queta: 10 PTS, 13 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, +25 ☘️ Pritchard: 10 PTS, 3 REB, 10 AST, 2 STL ☘️ Garza: 10 PTS, 5 REB
Jack Simone: Jaylen Brown and Luka Garza have been upgraded to AVAILABLE, per Celtics PR.
Could Joan Beringer start in the G League to get more minutes under his belt, or do they want him around the NBA staff and players? — @TripShakespear Jon Krawczynski: The Wolves love what they’ve seen from Beringer in his early days here. I think he will see some time in Iowa to get some run and ease into things since he doesn’t turn 19 until November. But Connelly and general manager Matt Lloyd made it clear after they drafted him that he was going to spend plenty of time with the big club this season. They think he can play on defense right now. Given the Wolves already have Gobert, Randle and Reid in the frontcourt, it is hard to see where the minutes would come unless there was an injury or foul trouble. Just ask Luka Garza. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sprinkled in here and there just because of that defense
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John Karalis: The Luka Garza and Josh Minott signings are official
Shams Charania: Free agent center Luka Garza has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. The Celtics negotiated the new deal with Garza's representatives Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of @PrioritySports tonight.
Michael Scotto: The Minnesota Timberwolves declined team options on Luka Garza ($2.35 million) and Josh Minott ($2.19 million) for the 2025-26 season, league sources told @hoopshype.
Chris Hine: Confirmed this from Michael. Early word I'm hearing related to Luka Garza is he could still end up back on the Wolves.
