--G Sebastian Telfair started Wednesday's game, but played only 20 minutes because of a bruised thigh he sustained Monday in Milwaukee and because of foul trouble. Wolves coach Kevin McHale said Telfair's injury was one reason his team didn't play with the same pace it had played with during a 10-2 start to 2009.
"He was really gimpy out there," McHale said. "I felt bad. He was playing O.K., but I just thought there was no use overextending him. I appreciate his effort. I know he was out there. We lost Bassy and his ability to turn the corner and that hurts us and what we're trying to do." --NBA All-Star Game reserves will be announced during a one-hour TNT telecast Thursday night. Might Kevin Love's exclusion from the rookie team foreshadow the Western Conference coaches' voting for those reserves? Al Jefferson's main competition appears to be four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal, whose Suns are playing host to this season's game.
If Jefferson isn't chosen, there will be many other chances, Kevin McHale said.
"He'll make a lot of them," McHale said. "You miss a couple early in your career when you should have gotten them, and you make some later in your career when you have no business making it and your reputation gets you there.
"It'll all equal out for him. We'll see what happens."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "When his career is over 20, 25 years from now, he might have a singing career ahead of him." -- F Mark Madsen, after rookie F Kevin Love, as part of his rookie duties, sang him "Happy Birthday" to celebrate Madsen's 33rd birthday on Wednesday.
