Injured Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad told reporters he is anxious to get back out on the court, following a pulled muscle that has caused the second-year pro to miss the last three weeks.
“Getting a lot closer,” Muhammad told reporters after the team’s morning shoot around on Wednesday. “I want to be on the court right now.”
Before the oblique injury Muhammad was playing well for the injury-riddled Wolves. He averaged 13.7 points and 4.0 rebounds a contest while playing in 35 games with 13 starts.
Now that the Wolves are getting close to 100 percent, he knows his role will be a little different when he returns.
“Sixth man, coming off the bench and having the energy that I usually have when everybody’s back,” said Muhammad. “I like being out there with the second unit and it’s a good thing that I can be on the second unit and give us some us some positive minutes, while the other guys are resting.”
Wolves coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders noted over the weekend that Muhammad was making progress.
“I’ll tell you exactly what (the trainers) told me: he’s making progress,” Saunders told FOX Sports Net on Saturday. “Whatever the heck that means. I wish I could get a little more definite answer than that, but all they’ve said is he’s making progress.”
The progress was a bit more evident by Wednesday.
#Twolves coach Flip Saunders said he is hopeful that Shabazz Muhammad (abdominal) might return this weekend.
— Andy Greder (@twolvesnow) February 4, 2015
Muhammad was one of four Wolves selected to participate in the NBA’s Futures game on All-Star Weekend in New York.
After Wednesday night’s game with Miami, the Wolves will have four games remaining before the break and Muhammad knows its important for him to get some time on the floor before the Futures game.
Muhammad and Zach LaVine will play on the U.S. team, while fellow Wolves Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng will play for the World Squad.
“Everybody’s talking a little trash, so hopefully we’ll be able to all be out there on the court together,” Muhammad said. “That’s pretty special, to see four guys on the same team be out there.”
