Nikola Pekovic Injury: Timberwolves Center Recovering Nicely

Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic is feeling good and looking trim since undergoing surgery in May to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.

Pekovic says he has lost seven or eight pounds as part of his offseason workout, according to the Pioneer Press:

"I feel great," Pekovic said after participating in informal workouts Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Wolves' practice facility in Target Center. "My ankle is much better. I don't feel anything. I hope it can stay like this all the time."

Pekovic emerged last season, starting 35 games for Minnesota before the bone spurs slowed him down. He posted 13 points and 7.4 rebounds and shot a team-high 56.4 percent from the floor.

The 26-year-old will be entering his third season in the NBA.

Nikola Pekovic Injury: Minnesota Timberwolves Center Will Have Ankle Surgery At Season's End

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic will have surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle following the season, according to Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune.

Until then, Pekovic said, he will finish this season playing in the Wolves' final games. He had 10 points and four rebounds Monday in a 111-88 loss to Indiana.

"It's something that will help me to be healthy next season," he said. "It will help me and my team and everything. I know without that trouble, I'll be more calm, not thinking about it. And hopefully, not miss any games."

Pekovic has not decided yet where he will have the surgery or which doctor will perform it. He has been hampered by the injury since early February.

The second-year player has averaged 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season.

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Nikola Pekovic Injury: Surgery Possible For Timberwolves Big Man

The Minnesota Timberwolves are prepping for a possible playoff push, but keep getting hit with injury after injury. Ricky Rubio is out for the season obviously with an ACL tear, and now big man Nikola Pekovic has started missing games with bone spurs in his right ankle. He'll miss the next couple of games in Memphis and Charlotte with the injury, and the Star Tribune reported on Monday that surgery might be needed after the season is over. Or at the very least, Pekovic is considering it.

There is no question that the grind of the compressed season, combined with Pekovic's increased playing time as the season went on, contributed to the pain and inflammation he has experienced. And while he is leaning toward having surgery, Pekovic said he will seek a second opinion before making that decision.

"I saw only one doctor here," Pekovic said. "I'm going to see one more, see what he will say. If they match up, [surgery is] probably what I would do."

Pekovic might be back in action against the Boston Celtics come this weekend wearing a protective boot on his ankle. His plans might start to become a bit more clear as the season winds along; if the playoffs are completely out of the picture in Minnesota in a couple of weeks he may start to consider the idea of surgery sooner rather than later. The banged up Wolves might miss him for the last few games, but they're already in the habit of missing guys lately.

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Nikola Pekovic Injury: Timberwolves Center Out Vs. Nuggets And Longer

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without the services of 6'11" big man Nikola Pekovic when they take the floor against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Associated Press' Jon Krawczynski reported via Twitter that Pekovic will not only miss today's game due to bone spurs, but he'll also stay home to rehab while his teammates hit the road early this week.

It's entirely possible that Pekovic's injury could shut him down for the season. But with Kevin Love's 51-point performance still fresh in everyone's mind, Pekovic's presence on the inside might not be as necessary as it seems.

The first pick of the second round in 2008, Pekovic is averaging 13.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for the T-Wolves this season, and has been one of the biggest surprises in the league.

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Nikola Pekovic Set To Miss Next Two Games For Timberwolves

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Timberwolves Vs. Lakers: Nikola Pekovic Set To Return From Injury

After missing the last two games due to a sprained right ankle, Nikola Pekovic is expected to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup Friday night for a bout with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune.

Pekovic is averaging 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game in his second season. He has been a major part of the Timberwolves turn-around this season, especially since he replaced Darko Milicic in the starting lineup. Jose Juan Barea, however will not play due to an ankle injury of his own. Via Zgoda:

Barea says he's much improved, but won't play tonight or tomorrow vs. Hornets. "Next week definitely, though," he said.

— Jerry Zgoda(@JerryZgoda) March 9, 2012

Minnesota is looking to win its sixth consecutive home game and fourth game in a row. In the past three games, Kevin Love has registered double-doubles of 42 points and 10 rebounds, 39 points and 17 rebounds and 27 points and 16 rebounds.

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Timberwolves Vs. Blazers: Darko Milicic Expected To Start In Place Of Nikola Pekovic

Nikola Pekovic continues to struggle with the aftereffects of his ankle injury and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman does not expect him to play Wednesday night, according to Mark Remme of Timberwolves.com.

Adelman says he doesn't expect Pek to play tonight and Darko will likely start in his place.

— Mark Remme (@MarkRemme) March 7, 2012

Darko Milicic returned to the starting lineup Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers and scored 13 points to go along with four rebounds and blocked a shot in 28 minutes. Pekovic replaced Milicic partway through the season due to ineffectiveness and injuries from Milicic and has thrived alongside Kevin Love.

"It's difficult. The other reason is they've got to guard Pek on the other end. He occupies whoever they have," Rick Adelman said about the injury, as relayed by Remme via Twitter.

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Timberwolves Vs. Clippers: Darko Milicic Will Start For Minnesota

Darko Milicic will return to the Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup Monday night due to the injury of Nikola Pekovic, Timberwolves radio play-by-play guy Alan Horton reports. Via Twitter:

Nikola Pekovic is out tonight (right ankle) Darko Milicic is back in the starting lineup. #twolves #nba

— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) March 6, 2012

The Timberwolves play host to the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night at the Target Center. Minnesota is just two games out of the eight-spot in the playoffs with a record of 19-19.

Milicic began the season in the starting lineup, but lost his spot to Pekovic. Pekovic is averaging 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Milicic is averaging 4.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

Pekovic is day-to-day with his ankle injury.

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Minnesota Vs. Utah: Nikola Pekovic Expects To Play For Timberwolves

After participating in the Timberwolves pregame shootaround Wednesday night, Nikola Pekovic said he expects to play in the game . Pekovic sprained his ankle on Monday against the Denver Nuggets, but said he is close to 100 percent. Via Jerry Zgoda of The Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Timberwolves shootaround just ended at Target Center and Nikola Pekovic says he intends to play tonight against Utah but won't know definitively until he warms up before the game and tests that ankle he sprained Monday in Denver.

"I feel OK, just a little pain," he said. "I will be fine."

Pekovic has moved into the Timberwolves starting lineup, averaging 12.4 points and seven rebounds in just 24 minutes per game. In his last 10 games, Pekovic has upped his averages to nearly 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

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