Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic to undergo Achilles surgery

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic will undergo surgery on his right Achilles tendon.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic will undergo surgery on his right Achilles tendon. Minnesota coach Flip Saunders had shut down Pekovic for the remainder of the season on Monday.

The team announced the surgery Thursday, which is scheduled to take place in North Carolina next week. 

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Pekovic was limited to just 31 games by ankle and wrist injuries this season. When he did take the court, he averaged 12.5 points per game, his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2011. Pekovic signed a five-year, $60 million deal with the Timberwolves in the summer of 2013.

Minnesota has the NBA's second-worst record at 16-59. Pekovic will miss the team's final seven games, and be re-evaluated over the summer. 

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- Alex Hampl