Timberwolves lose Pekovic to wrist sprain for at least 3 games

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be a little less intimidating this week.

Center Nikola Pekovic will miss at least three games after spraining his right wrist against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Pekovic had also been dealing with a sore right foot, but it's the wrist that will keep him on the shelf this week.

Minnesota has a light slate, playing just Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, but will be in tough without its starting pivot. Through nine games, the 285-pound behemoth is averaging 11.9 points and 8.1 rebounds on 42.2 percent shooting, numbers that are down from his 2012-13 breakout and 2013-14 follow-up campaigns.

The likely starter in Pekovic's place is Gorgui Dieng, who has been the team's primary backup at the position. A late-season surge last year had many high on Dieng entering his sophomore season, and he's impressed with eight points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in just 20.1 minutes. He'll now have another chance to show he can be serviceable over longer stretches.