5:40pm: The team is hopeful that Teague will return in 2-4 weeks, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
DECEMBER 28th, 1:38pm: Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague injured his left knee chasing a loose ball in Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets and will be out indefinitely, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Teague underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage but he was diagnosed with a sprained left knee, per Wojnarowski.
Teague, 29, has been solid for Minnesota in the first season of a three-year, $55MM pact he signed in the offseason. Through 31 games, Teague has averaged 13.4 PPG and 7.8 APG. In Teague’s absence, the Wolves are likely to rely on backup Tyus Jones to fill in a point guard, Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune writes.
“As always, it’s whatever the team needs me to do,’’ Jones said on Wednesday after Minnesota’s overtime victory. “I’m hoping Jeff is all right. You never want to see anyone go out with an injury. But it’s the next man up. I’m ready to help this team in any way.’’
Jones, 21, filled in for Teague earlier this season and has played well in 35 games, averaging 4.1 PPG and 2.6 APG. The Wolves also figure to rely more on Aaron Brooks, Jamal Crawford, and Jimmy Butler to handle guard responsibilities in Teague’s absence.