Your browser does not support iframes.
The Timberwolves spend much of Monday’s practice adjusting after receiving word from the NBA that forward Kevin Love will be suspended for the next two games against Sacramento on Tuesday and Memphis on Wednesday.
Love, who was suspended two games for stepping on Houston’s Luis Scola during Saturday’s game, leads the league by playing more than 39 minutes per game this season, so replacing his presence and his 25 points and 13.7 rebounds a night means the team must make adjustments on both ends of the floor.
Coach Rick Adelman said similar to when a player goes down with an injury, teammates must adjust and step up.
“Everybody’s going to have an opportunity,” Adelman said. “Derrick (Williams), AT (Anthony Tolliver). We’re going to have to do it by committee. People are going to have to step up.”
Fortunately for the Wolves, center Nikola Pekovic has stepped up in the past two weeks and, alongside Love, has been a viable rebounder on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 9.6 rebounds per game in his past six contests.
Tolliver saw extended minutes and was a strong asset both defensively down low and offensively from the perimeter earlier in the season. Williams has bounced between small forward and power forward depending on the team’s need, though Adelman has said Williams is more polished at the power forward position.
“We have to come out with the same energy and focus. This is a big one,” guard Luke Ridnour said. “Not having Kevin, everyone else has to do a little more. We have to rebound, collectively all do a little bit more. Find a way to get it done. We have momentum, now we just have to keep it going.”
Adelman said Monday was an adjustment period.