The Timberwolves are alternating Kevin Garnett and Nikola Pekovic for back-to-backs
Kevin Garnett is almost 40 years old, which is way too up there in age for him to be playing back-to-backs consistently, if ever. Nikola Pekovic, meanwhile, is coming off an Achilles tear and is still playing with a minutes and playing time restriction. That, of course, means he isn't playing in half of back-to-backs, either.
So, the Timberwolves have decided to compromise. KG takes on one game of a back-to-back. Pek plays in the other. It's a perfect split down the middle.
Pekovic started at center against physical Dwight Howard and Karl-Anthony Towns moved to power forward while Garnett rested after playing nine minutes Tuesday against Oklahoma City at Target Center. Pekovic maintained his 15-minute playing limit Wednesday, and for now still won’t play games on consecutive nights.
“No idea, no idea honestly,” Pekovic said when asked how long that arrangement will last. “I’m just trying to get myself available as much as I can do. That’s all I can do.”
From Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune:
Pek is still playing just 15.8 minutes a night in his four games played since returning from the injury that kept him off the floor for 10 months. He is averaging 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in those games.
