LeBron expected to play vs. still depleted Wolves

Kirilenko and Pekovic remain out for Wolves tonight against the defending NBA champs.

March 5, 2013 at 12:59AM
Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka (9) and Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) battle for the ball.
Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka (9) and Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) battle for the ball. (Ken Chia — AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

LeBron James is warming up before tonight's game against the Wolves at Target Center intending to play, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.

James came down wrong on his knee in Sunday's comeback victory at New York but played on anyone.

He had a doctor look at the knee earlier on Monday but Spoelstra and teammate Chris Bosh both expected he'll play.

"His leg would probably have to fall off for him to miss a game," Bosh said.

At last check, James appeared to have both legs intact tonight.

The Wolves, meanwhile, will continue to play without starters Andrei Kirilenko and Nikola Pekovic, both of whom remain out tonight.

(And, yes, of course, Kevin Love remains out, too).

Wolves coach Rick Adelman said Pekovic's MRI taken of an abdominal strain on Monday didn't show any structural damage, but both he and Kirilenko (strained calf) still were experencing soreness Monday with no indication when exactly either will return.

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The Wolves again will start Mickael Gelabale at small forward and Greg Stiemsma at center.

about the writer

about the writer

Jerry Zgoda

Reporter

Jerry Zgoda covers Minnesota United FC and Major League Soccer for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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