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Chase Budinger and Shabazz Muhammad Likely Out for Remainder of Season

Rick Adelman said he did not expect either wingman to return from their latest injuries this season.

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sport

It appears as if Chase Budinger and rookie Shabazz Muhammad are done for the season with an ankle sprain and an MCL sprain respectively.

Rick Adelman expects neither back this year, as Jerry Zgoda of the Star-Tribune reports via Twitter:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Adelman doesn&#39;t expect Chase and Shabazz to play again this season, Pek could be on that list too</p>&mdash; Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryZgoda/statuses/453227543378669568">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote>

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It has been another difficult season for Budinger after missing most of last year with a knee injury.  He required surgery prior to the start of this year and missed most of the first half of the season.  Now he's out again after rolling his ankle early in the game in Orlando on Saturday.

Budinger has played a total of 64 games over two seasons with the Timberwolves, and remains under contract for another two seasons.

Shabazz Muhammad has received sporadic playing time this season, but might have been in line for a longer look given Budinger's injury and the fact that the Wolves playoff chances are gone, but a sprained knee will keep him out as well.  He had shown some flashes of his abilities to score around the basket and compete for offensive rebounds, but will now refocus on his needed work over the summer.

As noted in the Tweet above, it also would not be a surprise to see Nikola Pekovic shut down for the remainder of the year; there is little point in bringing him back now, especially given his on again-off again foot problems.  Gorgui Dieng has filled in admirably in his absence and can use the playing time to refine his game heading into the off-season.

Zgoda further reports that Kevin Martin (along with the aforementioned) will not be available against San Antonio:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Martin, Pek, Chase and Shabazz out for Spurs, Love expected to be available</p>&mdash; Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryZgoda/statuses/453227748480151552">April 7, 2014</a></blockquote>

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It remains unclear what is in the immediate future for Dante Cunningham, who was arrested again yesterday.

At any rate, it's looking like a short bench, probably for the rest of the season.  Get ready for lots of Robbie Hummel and likely some Alexely Shved sprinkled in.