MINNEAPOLIS – Surprised on how quickly the time passed, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid solemnly reflected on the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by a police officer in Minneapolis. As the only Timberwolves player still on the roster since that unforgettable day, Reid distinctly recalls the challenges of that time during the coronavirus pandemic while also seeing improvements within the city five years later.
“It’s crazy, especially during COVID,” Reid told Andscape prior to the Timberwolves’ 143-101 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night. “I was at a loss for words. To think that [Sunday] is the five-year anniversary, is crazy.”
Reid was signed to a two-way deal with the Timberwolves after going undrafted out of Louisiana State University in 2019. The 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year began his NBA career in the G League playing for the Timberwolves affiliate Iowa Wolves. Reid made his NBA debut on Dec. 8, 2019, and averaged 9.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 30 games with the Timberwolves during the 2019-2020 season.
On May 25, 2020, Floyd died in Minneapolis after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd was arrested after allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to purchase cigarettes at a local store. A bystander’s video of Floyd’s arrest went viral, leading to worldwide outrage and protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
“It was crazy. I saw a whole bunch of riots. Buildings burned. Stores broken into. I would hope it was because of what they felt,” Reid said.
The Timberwolves were on the road playing against the Miami Heat at the time. After Floyd’s murder, the Timberwolves organization reached out to his family, hosted events, and worked to promote diversity and inclusion within the organization. On Oct. 6, 2020, Timberwolves players, coaches and other staff members walked toward the Floyd memorial with a long list of names of those slain by police brutality.
“The situation was messed up,” Reid said. “Obviously, I wanted to go out and support. I felt the anger the family felt. I felt depression. It was [important] for me to be out there trying to give my love and my condolences.”
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On April 20, 2021, before the Chauvin trial verdict was revealed, the Wolves players were on the road in Sacramento, California, expecting to get the news before a game against the Sacramento Kings that night. Then-Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns prayed the verdict wouldn’t be the second Rodney King situation, when four white California police officers were acquitted in 1992 of the beating of King. The acquittals were followed by riots, destroyed businesses and deaths in South Central Los Angeles.
About five hours before game time, the Timberwolves players learned that Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He would later be sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison. The Timberwolves went on to defeat the Kings 134-120 and dedicated the game ball to Floyd’s family. On April 27, 2021, Towns and Timberwolves guards Anthony Edwards and Josh Okogie gave that game ball to Floyd’s family after a 114-107 road victory over the Houston Rockets.
“I’ve met the Floyd family maybe once or twice,” Reid said. “I would say at that time it wasn’t a good moment, but it was a good interaction. So, that was good. They got my love.”
Reid said he thought it was “dope” that WNBA Minnesota Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier spoke about the five-year anniversary of Floyd’s death prior to a home game against the Connecticut Sun on May 23. There was also a moment of silence before the game.
“George was a father, a brother, and a son, and his life, like every life, held meaning,” Collier said. “His death exposed the holes that are still in our justice and criminal institutions today. His five-year anniversary reminds us that we want to continue the fight against criminal, racial, and social injustices. We cannot stay silent.”
The Timberwolves didn’t bring light to Floyd’s anniversary prior to Game 3 against the Thunder but have in other ways. Two of Floyd’s family members attended Game 3 as guests of the organization. The Timberwolves also recognized the five-year anniversary across their social channels. Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson led an all-staff message recognizing the anniversary and offering opportunity to engage in related community events. The Timberwolves have been an ongoing sponsor of a Floyd remembrance brunch since its inception.
In memory of the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s passing, there were religious services, concerts, a candlelight vigil, a street festival and other community events throughout Minneapolis. Some events took part in George Floyd Square, where Chauvin knelt on Floyd, even as the 46-year-old cried “I can’t breathe.”
Reid believes Minneapolis has grown for the better as a city since Floyd’s passing.
“I feel like we’re in a better place, especially since that situation,” Reid said. “What made it more detrimental — aside from obviously the tragedy — was the time that we were in [coronavirus pandemic]. Everybody was trying to figure their way out in life and what they were going to be doing. I don’t even know what I was doing. I was in an apartment just trying to understand how to go on myself.
“There [are] a bunch of positives. The city is more connected, more understanding of each other. At that time, it was definitely vulnerable because there was a lot going on the city. It’s been a great city since then.”
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In the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, Reid nailed 21 3-pointers over 10 games. Reid and the Timberwolves hope to even the Western Conference finals against the Thunder tonight (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET). Reid missed all 12 3-pointer attempts the first two playoff games against Oklahoma City, but scored 10 points, made 2-of-3 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds in Game 3.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was confident that Reid would break out of his 3-point shooting slump.
“It was good for Naz to see some threes drop for him,” Reid said. “I thought he played much more definitively and confident. And the only thing that kind of got in his way was a little bit of foul trouble. He was starting to get some momentum. But he’s been so important to us and we need him and he gave us another kind of gear too out, there.”
On the key to winning Game 4, Reid said: “This just the first step to the right direction. We got a lot more basketball to play, a lot more hard work to accomplish. So, we’re all ready to do that. We got to win [Saturday]. I got to try and carry this mentality and this aggression that we had [in Game 3] over to Monday.”
