After missing 31 games, Ronny Turiaf is back in the Timberwolves' rotation.
The team activated its veteran reserve center for Monday night's game at Philadelphia more than two months after he suffered a radial head fracture in his left elbow in the second game of the season. On Nov. 1, Turiaf collided with Oklahoma City big man Nick Collison and hit the floor hard.
An MRI revealed a fracture, and Turiaf had been out ever since.
He returned to contact last week and performed well in a series of practice scrimmage scenarios, coach Rick Adelman said.
Turiaf's return is hoped to bolster Minnesota's interior defense. The Timberwolves have blocked the fewest shots of any NBA team this season.
Chase Budinger (left-knee meniscus surgery) and Luc Mbah a Moute (strained left groin) remain out. Minnesota also assigned rookie Shabazz Muhammad to its inactive list Monday for his NBA Developmental League assignment with the Iowa Energy.
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