Of course...

Just when the Timberwolves got some good injury news Wednesday with word that Ricky Rubio is clearing to practice fully, Andrei Kirilenko is out tonight against the Clippers in Los Angeles and perhaps beyond.

Veteran Josh Howard will start for him at small forward.

Kirilenko hurt his back Saturday at Golden State, didn't practice Monday because of spasms and then played 41 mintues, including the entire second half, in Tuesday's victory at Sacramento.

An hour before tonight's game, he was still in his street clothes and walking very carefully because of that back with a stim pack hooked to his belt.

Rick Adelman said Kirilenko played the entire second half Tuesday because both he and Kirilenko felt that the back might stiffen and he'd be done for the night if he came out of the game.

Kirilenko made two huge plays in the final seconds -- blocking a shot, then feeding Nikola Pekovic for a layup -- to help the Wolves end a five-game losing streak.

Kirilenko said he has had the same thing happen to him in previous years and said it usually takes six, seven days to resolve itself.

Â