Naz Reid was benched at halftime of the Charlotte Hornets’ 97-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday because he did not meet “our standards in the first half,” coach Charles Lee said after the game.
Reid, who started the game, finished with seven points on 2-of-6 shooting in 13 minutes.
“Unfortunately, [Reid] didn’t meet our standards in the first half, and at halftime we made the decision that he wouldn’t play in the second half,” Lee said. “But I look forward to him meeting those standards come next game.”
Miller Leads Charlotte but Cools Late
Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 31 points and 12 rebounds, but he missed five of his seven shots in the fourth quarter. He had 21 points as the Hornets built a 51-44 halftime lead. Neither team shot consistently, but Charlotte’s 6-0 advantage in second-chance points kept it ahead.
Detroit then started the third quarter with a 16-5 run and forced eight turnovers in the quarter on its way to a 76-70 lead. Charlotte stayed close for most of the fourth, but Miller’s shooting struggles and five more turnovers prevented a serious challenge.
Reid Arrived in the LaMelo Ball Trade
Reid was one of the key returns for Charlotte in the trade that sent LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In addition to Reid, the Hornets received a 2033 unprotected first-round pick and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033). Charlotte also received first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Reid, 26, is in the second year of a five-year, $125 million deal he signed with Minnesota. He was the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year.