Jefferson is given family leave

Douglas C. Pizac, Associated Press

Al Jefferson will miss the next two games for the Wolves.

Al Jefferson will miss the Wolves' next two games to deal with a family member's illness in Florida.

Star Tribune

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 11:18 PM

Al Jefferson flew to Florida on Thursday morning, his mind on matters more important than an eight-game losing streak. The Wolves forward has been excused from the team's home game tonight against Dallas and Saturday's trip to Memphis to deal with a family member's illness.

Jefferson will return to the 1-8 Wolves next week, the team announced.

"He's got to take care of things, [and] we all just have to step up" in his absence, guard Jonny Flynn said. Replacing the sixth-year forward's team-high 15.1 points won't be easy, but "we've got Nathan Jawai, who's a pretty athletic post player. We've got Ryan Hollins and Oleksiy Pecherov, and those guys just have to combine to put up Al numbers as a tandem. It's a big test for them, but I have a lot of confidence."

Jefferson's replacement in the starting lineup hasn't been decided, coach Kurt Rambis said.

"We've played around with a couple of ideas. But this team, with our situation, we might change [the lineup] every game," Rambis said. "We'll address that tomorrow."

PHIL MILLER

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