Nikola Pekovic Injury: Updates on Timberwolves Center's Ankle and Recovery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Sunday Nikola Pekovic will miss the entire 2016-17 season with an ankle injury, according to the team's official public relations account.

Continue for updates.

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Ankle Injury Potentially Career-Ending

Sunday, Sept. 25

Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press noted Friday night it would be unlikely for the center to ever play again.

Pekovic played only 12 games last season after being held to just 31 games the year before while dealing with ankle and Achilles injuries. 

While Pekovic signed a five-year, $60 million deal in 2013, insurance will cover a portion of the player's salary, according to Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press. This will help offset the over $20 million still owed to the player over the next two seasons.

The 30-year-old center is not too far removed from being among the best big men in the NBA. He averaged 17.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in 2013-14 after averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game the year before.

Unfortunately, injuries continually slowed him down as he wasn't able to play in more than 65 games in any of the six seasons of his career.

"We were hopeful he would respond well," head coach Tom Thibodeau said of Pekovic's rehab, per Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune. "There have been some good days, but there have been a lot of setbacks as well.''

The setbacks were apparently enough to keep him off the court for the entire upcoming season.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng will remain the primary big men for Minnesota, although depth could become an issue in the frontcourt.