Sports

Budinger hopes to play Thursday

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Mar 20, 2013 at 4:54 pm

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger hopes to play on Thursday at Sacramento for the first time since tearing the meniscus in his left knee in November.

Budinger practiced five-on-five on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured. He says if his knee responds well on Thursday, he will try to play against the Kings.

The Timberwolves have sorely missed his perimeter shooting and movement without the ball. Budinger came over from Houston in the summer and quickly carved a role as a versatile wing player off the bench. He averaged 11.8 points in his first five games before being injured.

Budinger says it will take some time for him to knock the rust off, but he is eager to get back on the court.