ducks
10-16-2005, 05:01 PM
No Wally, no win for Wolves
Sprain sidelines Szczerbiak at least two weeks
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The Timberwolves suffered a loss before they ever stepped on the court Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Wally Szczerbiak will be out two to three weeks because of a right midfoot sprain he sustained Wednesday. He did not make the trip to Indianapolis for Minnesota's exhibition 93-84 loss to the Indiana Pacers, the first leg of road trip that continues Sunday at Detroit and ends Monday at Chicago.
Szczerbiak was injured during the team's exhibition opener against the Milwaukee Bucks when he landed on another player's foot. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the injury apparently will require time to heal.
Coach Dwane Casey doesn't sound too concerned.
"It will affect his conditioning more than anything else," Casey said of his starting small forward.
Casey was hopeful Szczerbiak will be able to return for the regular-season opener Nov. 2 at home against Portland. Szczerbiak thinks he will miss less time than the preliminary estimate, Casey said.
Regardless of when Szczerbiak returns, the Wolves have more reason for optimism after strong performances from their two draft picks, first-rounder Rashad McCants and second-rounder Bracey Wright.
They combined for 26 points, with McCants scoring 14. Perhaps most important, they were part of a young group of players, along with John Lucas, who spurred a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter after Minnesota trailed 84-62 with about 10 minutes left.
The Wolves ran the floor well and showed fight on the defensive end. The Pacers were held to 37.5 percent (6 for 16) in the fourth quarter.
Two Lionel Chalmers free throws cut the deficit to 86-80 with 2:45 left, but Indiana never relinquished the lead.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had to insert all-star Ron Artest back into the game for most of the last four minutes to secure the victory.
"I was really happy with our young guys," Casey said. "One thing we want to get out of our exhibition season was developing our bench. I'm finding pieces with McCants and Bracey Wright. Those two guys, along with who we already have, they're going to be pretty good."
McCants followed his 18 points in the Milwaukee game by dropping 10 points on the Pacers in the first half.
Perhaps his most impressive basket came when he posted up Artest early in the second quarter. Then McCants calmly hit a jump hook over the all-star's outstretched hand.
"You can't worry about who's guarding you or who's out on the floor," said McCants, refusing to acknowledge the significance of pulling off that move on a player of Artest's stature.
Wright, who left Indiana University after his junior season, received considerable boos when he checked into the game in the first quarter.
The chilly reception might have motivated Wright. He scored eight points with two three-pointers during his first 15 minutes. After the game, Wright said it didn't matter if he was cheered or booed.
The compliments he has received from Casey matter most to him.
"That's really something you need as a young player, to hear that kind of confidence and faith that your coach has in you," Wright said.
Briefly: Casey's father, James, was hospitalized locally Saturday with kidney and heart trouble. Casey's parents live in Indianapolis, and he was able to visit them Friday night. James Casey, 79, has been under hospice care for several weeks. With his father's condition a concern, Casey said before the game that he would try to focus.
• Kevin Garnett (sore right knee) sat out for a second consecutive game, though Casey insists his injury is not serious. He is scheduled to return for Sunday's game.
• Marko Jaric (sprained right ankle) is listed as day to day.
• Ndudi Ebi picked up three fouls and committed two turnovers during his first 1:47 on the court.
• Anthony Carter returned after missing the Milwaukee game because of the flu.
Rick Alonzo covers the Timberwolves and the NBA. He can be reached at [email protected]
Sprain sidelines Szczerbiak at least two weeks
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press
INDIANAPOLIS — The Timberwolves suffered a loss before they ever stepped on the court Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Wally Szczerbiak will be out two to three weeks because of a right midfoot sprain he sustained Wednesday. He did not make the trip to Indianapolis for Minnesota's exhibition 93-84 loss to the Indiana Pacers, the first leg of road trip that continues Sunday at Detroit and ends Monday at Chicago.
Szczerbiak was injured during the team's exhibition opener against the Milwaukee Bucks when he landed on another player's foot. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the injury apparently will require time to heal.
Coach Dwane Casey doesn't sound too concerned.
"It will affect his conditioning more than anything else," Casey said of his starting small forward.
Casey was hopeful Szczerbiak will be able to return for the regular-season opener Nov. 2 at home against Portland. Szczerbiak thinks he will miss less time than the preliminary estimate, Casey said.
Regardless of when Szczerbiak returns, the Wolves have more reason for optimism after strong performances from their two draft picks, first-rounder Rashad McCants and second-rounder Bracey Wright.
They combined for 26 points, with McCants scoring 14. Perhaps most important, they were part of a young group of players, along with John Lucas, who spurred a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter after Minnesota trailed 84-62 with about 10 minutes left.
The Wolves ran the floor well and showed fight on the defensive end. The Pacers were held to 37.5 percent (6 for 16) in the fourth quarter.
Two Lionel Chalmers free throws cut the deficit to 86-80 with 2:45 left, but Indiana never relinquished the lead.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had to insert all-star Ron Artest back into the game for most of the last four minutes to secure the victory.
"I was really happy with our young guys," Casey said. "One thing we want to get out of our exhibition season was developing our bench. I'm finding pieces with McCants and Bracey Wright. Those two guys, along with who we already have, they're going to be pretty good."
McCants followed his 18 points in the Milwaukee game by dropping 10 points on the Pacers in the first half.
Perhaps his most impressive basket came when he posted up Artest early in the second quarter. Then McCants calmly hit a jump hook over the all-star's outstretched hand.
"You can't worry about who's guarding you or who's out on the floor," said McCants, refusing to acknowledge the significance of pulling off that move on a player of Artest's stature.
Wright, who left Indiana University after his junior season, received considerable boos when he checked into the game in the first quarter.
The chilly reception might have motivated Wright. He scored eight points with two three-pointers during his first 15 minutes. After the game, Wright said it didn't matter if he was cheered or booed.
The compliments he has received from Casey matter most to him.
"That's really something you need as a young player, to hear that kind of confidence and faith that your coach has in you," Wright said.
Briefly: Casey's father, James, was hospitalized locally Saturday with kidney and heart trouble. Casey's parents live in Indianapolis, and he was able to visit them Friday night. James Casey, 79, has been under hospice care for several weeks. With his father's condition a concern, Casey said before the game that he would try to focus.
• Kevin Garnett (sore right knee) sat out for a second consecutive game, though Casey insists his injury is not serious. He is scheduled to return for Sunday's game.
• Marko Jaric (sprained right ankle) is listed as day to day.
• Ndudi Ebi picked up three fouls and committed two turnovers during his first 1:47 on the court.
• Anthony Carter returned after missing the Milwaukee game because of the flu.
Rick Alonzo covers the Timberwolves and the NBA. He can be reached at [email protected]