Jeff Teague, Nemanja Bjelica both out tonight

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Jeff Teague is probably closer to returning than Nemanja Bjelica. But, with back-to-back games coming – the Wolves play in New Orleans on Wednesday – neither will play tonight.

November 28, 2017 at 6:29PM
Jeff Teague (0)
Jeff Teague (0) (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

UPDATE: Bjelica and Teague are both inactive tonight for the Wolves, mising their third straight games.

Earlier blog from morning shootaround:

Both Nemanja Bjelica and Jeff Teague took at least a limited part in this morning's shootaround for the Wolves. Both will warm up tonight, pre-game, before a final decision is made on whether either will be able to play tonight against Washington at Target Center.

"We'll see tonight,'' Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Both players have missed two games. Teague has a sore right Achilles tendon, which he injured late in the Wolves' victory over Orlando Wednesday. The Wolves are calling Bjelica's injury a left mid-foot sprain, but he described more as a left ankle sprain when talking with the media this morning.

Of the two, Thibodeau said Teague is probably closer to returning. But, with back-to-back games coming – the Wolves play in New Orleans Wednesday – neither might be ready tonight.

"When they're ready, they're ready,'' Thibodeau said. "Each day they've gotten a little better.''

--Bjelica said he first injured his left ankle/foot in the Wolves' victory over San Antonio at Target Center Nov. 14. He played in the next four games before the pain knocked him out; he only played eight minutes vs. Orlando in his last appearance.

"I got a small bone bruise on my ankle,'' he said. "I will try to warm up tonight and see how I feel.''

Bjelica said he was never concerned, even though the injury is to the same foot/ankle he had surgery on last season. "Different spot,'' he said. "I just sprained my ankle. It's nothing serious.''

--Teague, meanwhile, has found not being able to play frustrating. He has averaged better than 76 games a season over the last five seasons, including a full 82 last season.

Teague said he was hurt late in the Orlando game when he drove to the basket, then fed Taj Gibson for a basket. "My foot just kind of got jammed between Elfrid Payton's and [Nikola] Vucevic's feet,'' Teague said. "I just didn't feel right when I got up.''

If Teague cannot play, Tyus Jones would be in line for his second straight start.

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Kent Youngblood

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Kent Youngblood has covered sports for the Minnesota Star Tribune for more than 20 years.

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