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Minus Jefferson, Timberwolves host Raptors

Feb 10, 2009 - 3:15 PM Toronto (19-34) at Minnesota (17-33) 8:00 p.m. EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves begin life without Al Jefferson when they host the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Jefferson may miss the remainder of the season after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's 101-97 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.

An MRI exam on Monday confirmed the extent of the injury, which occurred with 27 seconds remaining in Sunday's contest when he came down awkwardly on his right leg while attempting to block a shot by Sean Marks.

The Timberwolves have not yet established a date for surgery. The injury comes at a time when Jefferson had been playing the best basketball of his career.

The centerpiece of the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics last season, Jefferson is averaging a team-high 23.1 points and 11.0 rebounds after recording his sixth straight double-double in Sunday's loss. He had 25 points and 14 rebounds before exiting.

The Raptors won't be lamenting Jefferson's absence as they attempt to snap a six-game losing streak that includes a 78-70 setback to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Toronto shot an embarrassing 29.5 percent (23-of-78), including 5-of-23 from the arc against the Grizzlies en route to its 13th loss in 16 games.