National Basketball Association

Timberwolves C Milicic out with hip flexor

Published Feb. 8, 2011 2:46 a.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Timberwolves starting center Darko Milicic has a strained left hip flexor that will keep him out of the remainder of Monday night's game at New Orleans.

Milicic, who came in averaging 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, played only 4 minutes before coming out with the injury and team officials say he will not return for the second half.

His absence did not immediately hurt the Timberwolves. He was replaced by Nikola Pekovic, who had eight points and three rebounds in the first half to help Minnesota build a 60-46 halftime lead.