Minnesota Timberwolves will have to play the remaining of this season without Zach LaVine who suffers a knee injury. The All-Star guard tore his ACL in the game against Detroit Pistons on Friday, Feb. 3.
LaVine endured the pain to play six more minutes before he was sidelined in the 116-108 loss to the home team at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit. According to official statement from the team, an MRI result taken at the Saturday showed a torn ACL. Orthophedic Surgeon to Minnesota Timberwolves Dr. Diane Dahm from Mayo Clinic revealed that he must undergo surgery.
The date of surgery is to be determined.
This has been a huge blow to Timberwolves which currently struggles at the bottom two in the Western Conference Standing. The 21-year old shooting guard delivered a good season for the Wolves. Moreover, LaVine with point guard Andrew Wiggins and center Karl Anthony Towns have been a promising young players for the Wolves as reported by Sports Illustrated.
This season, LaVine shows his best performance in his third year with the Wolves, averaging 18.9 points and 3.4 rebounds. Earlier last month, he was sidelined for three games due to contusion in his left hip since Jan.11 to 16. Following his return, Minnesota Timberwolves began to play better and won five of their eight games before he tore his ACL on Friday.
On the following day, the Wolves returned to their home stadium Target Center, Minnesota to meet Memphis Grizzlies. The visiting team defeated them 99-107 without much difficulties. Head coach Tom Thibodeau played Andrew Harrison and Troy Daniels in shooting guard position as LaVine’s replacement, but both of them were unable to bring similar intensity to the game as LaVine usually did.
Watch how LaVine endured the pain to play six more minutes with a torn ACL before being pulled in the game against Pistons on Feb. 3 below: