For the second time this season, the Sacramento Kings square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After losing 92-80 at the Target Center earlier this month, the Kings welcome the Timberwolves to Sleep Train Arena tonight.
The Wolves have battled the injury bug early this season. They’re without starting point guard Ricky Rubio, Chase Budinger and Brandon Roy, who are all sidelined with knee injuries. They had been without Kevin Love for the first nine games of the year after he broke his right hand last month. He returned to their lineup faster than expected, making his season debut last week against the Denver Nuggets.
Following practice yesterday, Kings coach Keith Smart offered his take on Love’s recovery and how the Kings might prepare for his added presence.
Things heal a little bit differently for everybody. His (bones) obviously heal a little bit quicker. But you know what he’s going to bring to you – he’s going to bring the rebounding, the effort and the ability to shoot the basketball and so those are going to happen.
It’s been six seasons since the Kings last made the playoffs. And coincidentally, it’s been six seasons since the Kings parted ways with Rick Adelman.
Starting point guard Aaron Brooks played for the Timberwolves head coach in Houston. Under the former Kings coach’s tutelage, Brooks became the NBA’s Most Improved Player during the 2009-10 season. The 27-year-old guard has great respect for Adelman, who gave him his first opportunity in the league.
When you’ve done it so many years, you’ve seen everything. And he has an answer for everything so he’s a great coach and he gave me my start and I learned a lot from him.
The Kings and Timberwolves tip off action at 7 pm PT. Follow Cowbell Kingdom for complete pre and postgame coverage throughout the day.
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