Mitchell HansenWeb Editorial AssociateTwitter
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Indiana Pacers on Thursday at the Target Center. We take a look at three players that used to play for the Wolves in preparation for the game.
Al Jefferson
Jefferson, who was part of the deal that sent Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics in 2007, played three seasons in Minnesota. From 2007 to 2010, he appeared in 208 games, where he averaged a career-best 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. Jefferson also ranks fifth all-time in rebounds in Wolves history, totaling 2,162.
One highlight of Jefferson's career in Minnesota came on Jan. 27, 2008 in a 98-95 win over the New Jersey Nets. Jefferson, then in his first year with the Wolves, put up a near 40/20 game of 40 points and 19 rebounds. Big Al shot 13-for-21 from the field and went 14-for-17 from the free throw line in 42-plus minutes.
Jefferson, a 32-year-old Mississippi native, is in his 13th NBA season and is on his fifth team, having also played for Boston, Utah, Charlotte and now Indiana. Through 44 games this season, Jefferson is averaging 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 15.1 minutes per game.
Thaddeus Young
Young arrived in Minnesota as part of a three-team trade that sent Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. Young spent half of the 2014-15 season in Minnesota, where he played in 48 games until he was traded to Brooklyn for Kevin Garnett in 2015. During his span in Minnesota, he averaged 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steal in 33.4 minutes per game.
One highlight of Young's time in Minnesota was on Dec. 16, 2014 in a 109-95 loss to the Washington Wizards. Young tallied a season-best 29 points along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. He shot 12-for-19 from the field while shooting 5-for-12 from the free throw line.
Young, a 28-year-old Louisiana native, is in his 10th NBA season and is on his fourth team. Young is averaging 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 31.4 minutes per game this season.
Glenn Robinson
Robinson briefly appeared in a Wolves uniform during the 2014-15 season, playing in 25 games before being waived by the team. During his time in Minnesota, Robinson averaged 1.2 points and 0.6 rebounds in 4.3 minutes per game.
One highlight of Robinson's Wolves career came on Dec. 6, 2014 in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Robinson had his best performance for Minnesota coming off the bench, finishing with seven points, one rebound and one steal in 12 minutes. He shot 1-for-4 from the field and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Robinson, a 23-year-old Indiana native, is in his third NBA season and is on his third team. He is averaging a career-high of six points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 42 games this season.
The Wolves and Pacers square off at 7 p.m. Thursday night. The game will be aired on Fox Sports North and 830 WCCO.
