Timberwolves big man Nikola Pekovic is reportedly out of the walking boot he was wearing for the bursitis in his ankle. Unfortunately, head coach Rick Adelman said he has “no idea” when Pekovic will be ready to return to the lineup. Team doctors told him to avoid basketball activities for at least 7-10 days. That was six days ago.
The Wolves play six games in the next nine days and then it’s the All-Star break. As WCCO noted, the layoff could allow for some extra rest for Pekovic.
In other injury news, Golden Gophers leading scorer Andre Hollins will not play Wednesday when Minnesota travels to Purdue to play the Boilermakers.
“We anticipate him not playing just because he has not practiced,” Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino said during a conference call Monday, via the Pioneer Press. “We need him back. We need him back healthy because he’s one of the better guards in our conference.”
The Gophers have lost two straight (Iowa, Northwestern) since Hollins sprained his ankle in an upset win over the Wisconsin Badgers.
To the NFL where the Minnesota Vikings could have the landscape of their NFL Draft plans change dramatically if quarterback Matt Cassel decides to void his 2014 contract. Cassel has until Friday to make that decision, according to ESPN. If he doesn’t, the Vikings will have to make a decision to cut him or pay him a $500,000 roster bonus to stay on the team by the seventh day of the league year in March.
Our last tidbit of the day comes from Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters. He dropped this nugget about former Twins ace Johan Santana on Twitter.
A Johan Santana-Twins deal isn't expected before mid-season.
— Charley Walters (@Charley_Walters) February 3, 2014
