Playoff hopes dimming as Timberwolves lose Rose, Covington, Teague for season

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Derrick Rose smiles at fans during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Minnesota Timberwolves’ slim NBA playoffs hopes suffered a major setback Thursday with the announcement that guards Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague and forward Robert Covington were ruled out for the rest of the season.

The T-Wolves are 32-39 after dropping seven of their past 10 games and would need to win at least 10 of their final 11 to reach the post-season.

Rose, the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player, and Teague missed Minnesota’s past four games, Rose with a sore right elbow and Teague after re-aggravating a left foot injury first nagging him in December. Both will be free agents in July.

An MRI of Rose’s elbow showed a chip fracture and treatment is being considered while Teague was given an anti-inflammation medication and will wear a boot before being reevaluated after the season.

Covington, under contract until mid-2022, has been out for 34 games with a right knee bone bruise.

Covington averaged 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals this season for the T-Wolves while Rose averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists and Teague contributed 12.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns has led Minnesota this season, averaging 24.6 points and 12.3 rebounds.