National Basketball Association

Milicic and Webster will miss tonight's Wolves preseason game because of injuries

Published Oct. 20, 2010 10:14 a.m. ET

foxsports

Injuries to Minnesota Timberwolves starting center Darko Milicic and key reserve Martell Webster will keep the players out of tonight's NBA preseason game against the Indiana Pacers at Target Center.

Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis said Milicic, who has started each of the team's six preseason games, is struggling with a sore neck and shoulder and Webster has a sore back. Both players did not participate in this morning's shootaround.

Rambis said two-year veteran Kosta Koufos will start at center. Koufos came to the Timberwolves in July from Utah in the Al Jefferson trade. In another lineup shift, Rambis said Corey Brewer will start at shooting guard. Wayne Ellington started at shooting guard Sunday night in the Timberwolves' 114-109 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Sioux Falls, S.D., and responded with 22 points. Joining Brewer and Koufos in the starting lineup are forwards Kevin Love and Michael Beasley and point guard Luke Ridnour.

The Timberwolves enter tonight's game with a 5-1 record in the preseason. Indiana handed the Timberwolves their only loss with a 98-86 win in Indianapolis on Oct. 13.

Briefly: Rambis said former University of Minnesota forward John Thomas, out since the second day of training camp with a strained left hamstring, is not healthy enough to play tonight. Thomas is trying to make the roster as a free agent. The Timberwolves conclude their preseason schedule Friday night in Milwaukee.