The Minnesota Timberwolves will be without two integral pieces over the next two days, as guard J.J. Barea and forward Michael Beasley each did not make the brief road trip due to separate injuries.
Barea, who has a thigh contusion with a good amount of swelling, hopes to make a mid-week return against Golden State on Wednesday, while Beasley (sprained toe) is expected back in the lineup shortly after the brief two-game road trip.
Despite not having its usual lineup on the floor for Sunday's game, goods news for Minnesota is that injured center Nikola Pekovic did make the trip and is planning to get on the court to shake off the rust over the next two days. Pekovic's presence could be a huge factor against a Portland team that may or may not have star forward LaMarcus Aldridge on the court. Aldridge is a game-time decision with a sprained elbow injury of his own.
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