Mitchell HansenWeb Editorial AssociateTwitter
With Zach LaVine (hip contusion) out of the lineup against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, the question was raised about who would step in for the third-year guard and how they would fair going up against one of the NBA’s top teams.
Enter veteran wing Brandon Rush, who made his first start of the season for the Wolves.
“It’s always about being prepared. You never know when your number is going to called,” Rush said after practice Thursday. “I’ve been doing it for the last couple years whenever guys get injured, I get thrown in the lineup. You got to be a professional and be ready whenever your name is called.
“I know how this game works, when Zach gets back he is going to get his normal minutes. I will just wait for my name to be called again and be ready.”
Rush finished with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists, while shooting 4-for-7 from three. He also played well defensively, finishing with three steals and two blocks.
“I think that’s part of his experience. On the raise of the shot to have the commitment to you have protect the basket first. . . You can count on him to sprint back and he made a great play,” Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Those are winning plays. At the end of the game, you want to make more winning plays than your opponent.”
Along with the starting five of Rush, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng and Ricky Rubio scoring in double figures against the Rockets, the Wolves also had a supporting cast of Shabazz Muhammad, Nemanja Bjelica and Kris Dunn that provided a spark off the bench.
Muhammad finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, Bjelica had eight points and seven rebounds, and Dunn added six points, three rebounds and two steals.
“I know I’m getting in the game and getting an opportunity, and that’s the biggest thing for me. I always knew I could play at this level and it was a big win for us last night,” Muhammad said. “I think we are having a great energy right now. . . I know we can play with anybody and that’s something we need to do.
“We have a bunch of talent on this team and that’s something we have to know and show every night.”
Minnesota looks to build off of a two-game winning streak when the Oklahoma City Thunder come to Target Center on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be aired on Fox Sport North and 830 WCCO.
LaVine Update
Thibodeau said after practice that LaVine, who missed Wednesday’s game against Houston with a hip contusion, was able to do a little more at practice Thursday, including shooting around some.
Look for another update on LaVine’s status against Oklahoma City prior to Friday night’s game.