LaVine to miss rest of season with torn ACL
An already frustrating season for the Minnesota Timberwolves has been dealt a significant blow.
Shooting guard Zach LaVine will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, the team announced Saturday. LaVine suffered the injury - which was initially diagnosed as a contusion - when he collided with Andre Drummond midair during Friday's loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The 21-year-old was in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and three assists with a .459/.387/.836 shooting line in 47 games. He was tied with teammate Andrew Wiggins for third in the NBA at 37.2 minutes per game. He's missed just eight games in his three-year career.
The Wolves don't have many shooting guard options to slide into the starting lineup, though they could conceivably bump Wiggins down to the two and start reserve forward Shabazz Muhammad, who's often their first guy off the bench.
Minnesota had begun to turn things around after a miserable start, with an 8-5 record in their past 13 games.