Minnesota Timberwolves’ Chase Budinger out indefinitely

Last season, Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Chase Budinger needed surgery to fix his left meniscus, which he tore in the sixth game of the regular season.

On Tuesday, the Timberwolves announced Budinger had another procedure on his left meniscus and would be “out indefinitely,” according to the Associated Press.

Earlier in the week, a report surfaced that Budinger had another serious knee injury, saying he sustained “a cartilage injury to his left knee.”

“From Chase’s perspective and ours, it hurts a little bit,” Timberwolves’ President of Basketball Operation Flip Saunders said. “But it’s opportunity for other players.”

Last season, the fourth-year pro out of Arizona, averaged 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists, but played in just 23 games because of the injury. In the offseason, Budinger received a three-year, $15 million contract from the Timberwolves, in part because of his outside shooting. For his career, Budinger has shot 35.8% from beyond the arc, including a career-high 40.2% during the 2011-12 season.

“It doesn’t really change what we do, what our goals are and where we go as a team,” Saunders added.

The procedure was handled by the famous Dr. James Andrews.