Dieng to see more minutes because of Pekovic wrist injury

Timberwolves second-year center Gorgui Dieng's accelerated path to a starter's job someday just got accelerated.

Wolves coach Flip Saunders increased Dieng's playing time in the season's opening weeks, both in an attempt to keep starter Nikola Pekovic healthy and to accommodate the development of a young player who at this time last year wasn't playing much at all.

Now Pekovic is sidelined for at least all three games this week apparently not because of his troublesome sore ankle but because of what Saunders called a sprained right wrist injured in Saturday's game at Dallas, the team's fifth consecutive loss to end a six-game trip.

The absence of Pekovic and starting power forward Thaddeus Young — expected out all week as well following his mother's death — as well as veteran Ronny Turiaf's continuing hip injury leaves the Wolves with just three healthy big men entering Wednesday's return home against New York: center Dieng and power forwards Anthony Bennett and Robbie Hummel.

"We'll be a little undermanned, but we'll be ready to go," Saunders said after practice Tuesday. "We had a good practice and no one got hurt, so that's a positive."

Suddenly, Dieng is back in the same role that thrust him into prominence late last season because of his startling production after Pekovic's painful bursa sac flared again.

He will start Wednesday and play plenty.

Dieng worked all summer to become more of a player Saunders can trust, gaining 20 pounds to help him defend bigger, stronger centers near the basket and working on a soft, 16-foot banked shot from either side of the floor.

"It's a big difference, especially like a big difference down there," Dieng said, referring to his current 245-pound playing weight and the court's painted area. "It's going to help me a lot, blocking out, helping me to push people. And offensively, once you hit people once and they start feeling you, it helps to create space. I can hold the ground better right now. It's not perfect yet, but I feel like I'm making a big step."

There are still nights like Saturday, when he played more than 26 minutes while Pekovic played fewer than 12 and struggled with Mavericks veteran center Tyson Chandler's aggressiveness and maturity. Dieng finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Chandler produced a 12-point, 16-rebound display on a night Saunders called "the worst" Dieng has played this season.

"He's progressing at a steady rate," Saunders said. "He's stronger. As you gain strength, you gain confidence, but he still has problems sometimes with stronger centers. He'll put on another 20 pounds in another year or two, too. He'll get bigger eventually."

Saunders points out Dieng already has become more confident offensively, especially with that practiced bank shot that Saunders calls "pretty automatic" and Dieng simply says, "I work on that."

"He still gets out of position," Saunders said, "but you're talking about a guy who this time last year wasn't playing at all."

You're also talking about a guy drafted 21st overall in 2013 who says he's not waiting for another year or two or another 20 pounds before he gets better.

"I'm trying to get better every single time I've got the chance," said Dieng, who turns 25 in January. "Every time I step in this gym, I want to get better. I'm not going to wait until I get older. Why not do it now?"