Nikola Pekovic has no new issues with his ankle and is expected to start on Sunday vs. the Nets.

Like most big men, he torched the Lakers on Friday in his return. Pekovic played 22 minutes with a 26-point game and he'll likely be in that neighborhood again. He and Gorgui Dieng will share time the rest of the way.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) returned to action in Friday's blowout win over the Lakers, scoring 26 points on 9-of-10 shooting with three rebounds in 22 minutes.

Pek carved up the defenseless Lakers and probably wanted to get back on the floor to protect his position from surging Gorgui Dieng (14 points, nine boards, one block, 23 minutes). He'll be a shutdown candidate the rest of the year but for now it looks like the rookie may push him to stick around and play.

Nikola Pekovic will start against the Lakers on Friday night.

This news puts the kibosh on using Gorgui Dieng in daily leagues even though there's almost no way Pek will be back up to his usual workload in his first game back. Pekovic could still have an aggravation since he hasn't been healthy for over two months, so he's not necessarily a must-add player.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will play vs. the Lakers on Friday night.

It sounded like he was going to sit, but he'll be back on the court tonight. The Wolves will almost certainly keep his minutes in check, so he's still not going to be a fantasy option. Gorgui Dieng could still find his way to minutes in the high 20s, but he obviously takes a hit here.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will not play against the Hawks on Wednesday night.

He was considered doubtful this morning and his ankle injury has now kept him out of action for at least six games. His fantasy owners should probably become his former fantasy owners at this point. Gorgui Dieng is a fine play tonight against a weak center rotation for the Hawks.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game, according to the Wolves' official game notes.

Game notes aren't always accurate but they're the best information currently available, and Pekovic's ankle bursitis is a nagging injury which he's already aggravated multiple times this season. Owners should look elsewhere for production until we've seen him on the court, and his likely absence means another start at center for impressive rookie Gorgui Dieng.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will not play against the Grizzlies on Monday night.

There is no word of him taking contact in practice and he doesn't have a timetable to return. Pekovic could miss additional time, so fantasy owners of Gorgui Dieng can keep him going. Pek is a candidate to be cut in almost any format right now.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will not play vs. Phoenix on Sunday.

He did some non-contact work during Saturday's practice but was never better than 'doubtful' to play on Sunday, and his absence gives rookie Gorgui Dieng a chance to extend his streak of impressive starts at center. Pek should be considered iffy to play in Monday's road game vs. the Grizzlies, the first of Minnesota's four games next week.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is doubtful to face the Suns on Sunday.

He did a little more in Saturday's practice with a 5-on-0 workout, but not taking on contact doesn't bode well for his outlook in the coming days. Fantasy owners can probably assume Pekovic sits out on Sunday, which means apparent super rookie Gorgui Dieng will be a strong start against the small frontcourt rotation of the Suns. Pek owners might want to move on to greener pastures at this stage of the season.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will not play in Thursday's game vs. the Rockets.

Pek is traveling with the Wolves but he was already considered doubtful to play, and his absence leaves Gorgui Dieng with another chance for solid production as a starting center. Pek is questionable to return for Sunday's game vs. Phoenix.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will not play vs. the Mavericks on Wednesday.

Unlike most of the news this evening, this was expected. The Wolves are expected to start rookie Gorgui Dieng who is coming off a huge game on Sunday. Pekovic should be considered questionable for the weekend.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will travel with the Wolves on their upcoming two-game road trip but he's not expected to play in either game.

Pekovic isn't suffering from more than a sore ankle, as he aggravated the bursitis in his ankle, but it's unclear when he might return to action. Gorgui Dieng is coming off a solid double-double with five blocks and he's worth a look for anyone in need of a cheap, temporary burst of rebounds and blocks, if little else.

Nikola Pekovic will not play against the Kings on Sunday due to a right ankle injury.

He had ice on his ankle on Friday and obviously still isn't right. There is no indication of how much time he'll miss, but there's a chance he misses some time this week considering he's been battling ankle issues since January. Dante Cunningham figures to benefit and is worth a look in deeper formats.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle bursitis) confirmed that he exited Friday's game because he felt like he "[couldn't] move."

"It's hurting me all the time," he said. "Running up and down, everything was a problem [on Friday] ... I am concerned because pain never go away totally ... Hopefully tomorrow will be better, but I really don't know. I am concerned, of course." Rick Adelman has been disregarding Pek's 20-minute limit, imposed by the team's medical staff, and Pek's ongoing pain leaves his status uncertain for at least Sunday's game vs. the Kings. Ronny Turiaf (knee) still isn't ready to play which leaves Minnesota with few options if Pek can't suit up. Check back for updates after Sunday's shootaround.

Nikola Pekovic is sitting on the bench and has ice on his right ankle during the second half of Friday's game.

His return is questionable and the Wolves are down somewhat big at the time of his departure, so he is likely done for the night. Pekovic had a little hitch in his giddy up in the second half of the game and he is clearly not over his ankle issue from last month. He exited with eight points, four boards and one steal in 17 minutes. Dante Cunningham would have to step up while Pek is out.

Wolves coach Rick Adelman is hopeful that Nikola Pekovic (ankle) will have his playing time restrictions lifted in the next week.

Pek isn't supposed to play more than seven minutes at a time, or more than 20 minutes in a game, though Adelman has already broken those rules numerous times and it sounds like he'll continue to do so. "We've got a couple games coming up against good centers," he said on Thursday. "I might lose track of the time." Pek hasn't had any obvious setbacks since his return, so owners can confidently keep him in active lineups.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle) was held out of practice on Monday.

He is still expected to play on Tuesday vs. the Bucks and today was just a precaution. Pekovic played 33 minutes on Sunday and had a double-double, so his ankle didn't affect him in the stat sheet. His owners might want to make sure he's still good to go at shootaround, but it sounds like he'll play.

Nikola Pekovic finished Sunday's loss to the Raptors with 17 points, 11 rebounds and five turnovers in 33 minutes.

Pek's ankle bursitis is ostensibly keeping him on a 20-minute limit, but coach Rick Adelman has been bending the rules lately. "[The trainer] told me 20, I kind of hedged it to 27 ... I was never good at math," Adelman said before the game. Pekovic didn't have any assists, steals or blocks on Sunday, but he made 8-of-13 FGs on his way to his first double-double since returning on March 1.

Nikola Pekovic (ankle bursitis) remains on a minute-limit as the Wolves attempt to prevent any setbacks.

Pekovic still has pain when he's running and making basketball moves, and he's already exceeded his 20-minute limit on a few occasions. "I've just got to do whatever [the medical staff] says," Pek said. "I didn't want to go out [in the fourth quarter on Wednesday]. But that's the fact. I need to follow the rules now, try to heal things up." Pek's balky ankle and subsequent minute-limit is a major hurdle for the Wolves, who have been leaning more on Dante Cunningham and small lineups.

Nikola Pekovic scored 17 points in 26 minutes against the Knicks on Wednesday with six boards on 8-of-12 shooting.

He was expected to be on a minutes limit tonight and his 26 minutes tonight matched his 26.0 per game over his previous two. Pekovic did look like he lost a step on defense, which hasn't really been his forte in the past couple seasons. He'll have his hands full against Andre Drummond on Friday.