Is tonight the night Wolves center Gorgui Dieng starts another games-played streak?
His last one of 175 consecutive games played -- dating to the start of the 2015-16 season -- ended Saturday in Phoenix, the first of three games he now has missed because of a sprained index finger on his shooting hand.
He practiced Thursday and participated in shootaround this morning in Dallas before tonight's game against the 2-13 Mavericks.
"We'll see how he does," Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said, referring to Dieng's game-day preparations. "He's definitely a lot better. I know Gorgui. If he can play, he's playing."
When he returns, he'll be rejoining a second unit that is starting to find its rhythm, particularly because of the play from Nemanja Bjelica and Tyus Jones.
While that second unit has found something, Wolves starter and star Jimmy Butler scored six points in Wednesday's 98-86 victory over San Antonio and is shooting 33.3 percent -- 18 for 54 -- in his last four games.
Both Thibodeau and Butler said there's no reason for alarm and said it's only a matter of time before his shot returns.
"Jimmy can play great without shooting well," Thibodeau said.
Tonight is the start of three games in four days. Included is the logical Minneapolis to Charlotte back-to-back with Sunday's game against Detroit at Target Center and Monday's game against the Hornets.
