![Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) and center Nikola Pekovic (14) watch some game time entertainment on the big screen during a timeout in the first half of Saturday night's game against Utah. ] (Aaron Lavinsky | StarTribune) The Minnesota Timberwolves play the Utah Jazz on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 at Target Center in Minneapolis.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SNX4NRQQ4WWKVQKIW6DGKBX36A.jpg?&w=1080)
The good news tonight: Both Chase Budinger and Robbie Hummel, who missed the last game with sickness, are ready to go tonight.
The better news: Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin have both taken steps towards their return from ankle and wrist injuries, respectively.
Wolves coach Flip Saunders said both Pek and Martin took part in contact drills Wednesday morning. "They came through with come contact and did pretty well," Saunders said. "So they are making a little bit of progress.''
Martin fractured his right (shooting) wrist Nov. 19 vs. New York. He had surgery Nov. 25. Pekovic missed his 25th game Wednesday with ankle and wrist soreness.
Saunders said both could be back within a couple weeks. "They have to have a feel for that," he said. "Pek will say, 'Hey I think I'm ready to go.' Kevin will say, 'I'm ready.' They still have to get their wind back. They have to get their whole body back; all Kevin's been doing is shooting.''
Meanwhile, Saunders said Ricky Rubio – who suffered a severe ankle sprain Nov. 7, is still feeling soreness after running and is still a bit behind Pekovic and Martin.
Meanwhile, Saunders confirmed that the club waiving of Jeff Adrien occurred because the team does not want to guarantee his contract. Saunders said he would not rule out re-signing Adrien if he clears waivers. But the team is also looking elsewhere, and the possibility remains that the club's 15th spot could be taken by center Miroslav Raduljica.
