Naz Reid was benched in a winnable game early in his Charlotte Hornets tenure, a tough moment that could have derailed anyone. Instead, it lit a fire under him. Head coach Charles Lee’s approach appears to have motivated Reid, who has completely flipped the script on his early-season struggles.
Reid’s Resurgence: From the Bench to the Bucket
With the Hornets still playing without star players Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, someone needed to step up. Reid has answered that call, alongside Grayson Allen. Over the past six games since that initial benching, Reid has been an absolute force, averaging 17.6 points per game. He’s transformed into one of the team’s go-to guys, proving it big time in their most recent matchup.
Two-Way Dominance Shines Against the Cavs
On Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Reid and Allen were the driving force behind a massive victory. Reid poured in 25 points, while Allen added 27 points, leading Charlotte to a mostly dominant performance. After the game, Coach Lee didn’t hold back his praise for Reid, singling him out as a standout. Lee acknowledged Allen’s contribution, but emphasized Reid’s importance to the team’s success. “I’m glad that some shots went down, but I love the defensive intensity probably even more. It’s really cool to see (Naz Reid) becoming an elite two-way player and giving it to us on both ends of the floor,” Lee said, celebrating Reid’s phenomenal effort. As the Hornets continue their season, Reid’s role is only going to grow. With Miller and Knueppel still sidelined, expect Reid to keep commanding the ball as a first-option type of player.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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