While injured Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine heads toward left knee surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles, his team thumped a depleted Chicago team 117-89 Sunday at Target Center.
With their best long-range shooter done for the season, the Wolves have been outdone 58-34 in made three-pointers since LaVine was injured at Detroit on Feb. 3.
They made only two of their first 16 three-point tries, but ultimately were only outshot 10-6 on threes Sunday after forward Nemanja Bjelica rediscovered his shooting touch and made three of four threes in the fourth quarter.
"That's just the way of the league," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "[LaVine] was averaging 19 points a game, so he was a primary scorer. We can't replace Zach individually. We have to do that collectively. Everyone's capable of playing defense. Everyone's capable of rebounding. Everyone's capable of sharing the ball. So if we do those things, we'll be in position to win. That's what it takes to win."
Thibodeau has been through this before, with Derrick Rose in Chicago.
"Every situation is different," Thibodeau said. "[LaVine is] doing well. He's in a good place. He's really a tough guy mentally. I think he has a great understanding how he wants to work and approach this. I think there's a lot for him to gain."
LaVine will have his torn anterior cruciate ligament repaired at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in collaboration with Wolves team orthopedic surgeon Diane Dahm of the Mayo Clinic, the Wolves announced.
Bjeli better
Thibodeau praised Bjelica's play, particularly when he scored 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter when he went 5-for-9 from the field.