Nikola Pekovic injury: Timberwolves' big man leaves game vs. Mavericks

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic sprained his left ankle during Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.

The injury occurred during the third quarter, when Pekovic appeared to step on Vince Carter's foot. He went down on the court for several minutes before going back to the locker room. The team later announced he sprained his ankle and would not return to the game.

Losing Pekovic would be a major blow for an already injury-riddled Timberwolves team. Pekovic leads Minnesota in scoring at 14.5 points per game and is second on the team in rebounds, averaging six per game. He was having one of his best games of the season on Monday. In 28 minutes before going out with the ankle injury, Pekovic scored 20 points to go along with six rebounds.

Minnesota led 64-51 when Pekovic was injured. Dallas has since cut into the Timberwolves lead, as Minnesota has a 70-62 lead in the fourth quarter.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.