The Hits Keep On Coming, Wolves Lose Shabazz Muhammad
By Nick Fritz
Dec 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Shabazz Muhammad(15) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
With the loss of Shabazz Muhammad to an abdomen injury, the Timberwolves are officially sans 4 of their 5 best players. It’s not like it can get any worse, however. The team is already on one of the worst streaks in the not-so-proud history of the franchise: 15 losses in a row.
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Muhammed, who will be out at least two weeks, was in the midst of a break out year. The 6-6 small forward was starting to see major minutes and making the most of them, averaging 14.7 points to go along with 4 rebounds per game.
He has shined the most when given the most minutes. So far Muhammad has played over 30 minutes in 10 games this year. In those games, he averages 20 points.
Understandably, Flip Saunders is taking the route of caution with this one.
“It could change, but right now the prognosis is see where he is at (in a couple weeks),” Saunders said. “He has an abdominal strain, and those things can be very delicate. You don’t want them to turn into anything more serious.”
Fortunately for the Timberwolves, their other injured stars, Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic, should start filtering back into the lineup soon. Pekovic and Martin will participate in the team’s shoot-around session Tuesday and then in two practices later this week. There is a chance we will see them against Phoenix on Friday.
Rubio has been long expected to return mid-January and his participation in practice on Monday is promising. While it is not known exactly when we’ll see him on the floor, it should be within the next 3 games.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Timberwolves, as they will begin a 4 game road trip Tuesday night against the Pacers.