Jefferson returns from 9-game absence, helps Hornets crush Timberwolves
Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson played for the first time since the calender flipped to the new year, scoring eight points off the bench Monday in a 105-80 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jefferson, who added five rebounds in 25 minutes, missed the team's previous nine games with a groin strain.
The surging Hornets went 6-3 without Jefferson, and recently returned shooting guard Lance Stephenson to the lineup, too, at a time when they're steadily climbing up the lowly Eastern Conference standings. Monday's victory moved Charlotte to just half a game behind the struggling Brooklyn Nets for the No. 8 seed in the East.
The Hornets were without point guard Kemba Walker for the second consecutive game as he deals with knee soreness that's being caused by a cyst.
Jefferson, the team leader in rebounds, is a good bet to move back into the starting lineup for the Hornets' next game Wednesday against the Miami Heat.
Bismack Biyombo entered the starting unit with Jefferson sidelined, and received his 10th consecutive start Monday. He scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in the win.
Gerald Henderson poured in a team-high 17 points to help the Hornets win their second straight contest and seventh in their last eight tries.