T-Wolves' Russell scores 25 in return from 26-game absence
D'Angelo Russell returned for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night against the Sacramento Kings after missing the last 26 games due to a knee injury.
The All-Star finished with a team-high 25 points on 7-of-19 shooting, chipping in five rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal in 24 minutes of action off the bench. Minnesota won 116-106.
Russell hadn't played since Feb. 8, when he was forced to leave a contest against the Dallas Mavericks early because of knee concerns.
The 25-year-old then underwent arthroscopic surgery in mid-February to remove loose bodies from his left knee, and he was subsequently shelved for four-to-six weeks.
Russell, who was the second selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, was averaging 19.5 points and 5.1 assists this season prior to his spell on the sideline.
Minnesota won just six of 16 games without Russell, and the T-Wolves entered Monday's home contest with a league-worst 12-38 record.