MINNEAPOLIS -- Timberwolves forward Luc Mbah a Moute tweaked his groin during Wednesday's victory over New Orleans. His status for Saturday's matchup with Oklahoma City is up in the air.
Traded from Sacramento in exchange for Derrick Williams earlier this season, Mbah a Moute began feeling discomfort in his groin midway through Minnesota's 124-122 win. By the end, he couldn't run well enough on it to return to the floor, he said.
Mbah a Moute was limited in practice Thursday, and Adelman said the team will be careful with him during Friday's workout, too.
"It's alright," Mbah a Moute said. "Any time you have an injury, you want to make sure you take care of it. You don't want to make it worse or anything like that."
Minnesota could use their newly added defensive stopper Saturday against Kevin Durant. Small forward Corey Brewer defended the Thunder star well in the teams' first meeting, but Mbah a Moute's solid 6-foot-8, 230-pound frame allows him to match up with Durant when Brewer needs a break.
Center Ronny Turiaf (fractured elbow) and Chase Budinger (damaged knee meniscus) both participated in extensive 4-on-4, full-court scrimmage scenarios Thursday, Adelman said. Neither is likely to dress Saturday, but Adelman sounded optimistic when discussing their statuses.
Turiaf has been out since the second game of the campaign, and Budinger has yet to suit up this season.
"I think they're getting close," Adelman said of the injured pair. "I really do."
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