Lance Stephenson: Closing in on return from ankle injury

Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said Stephenson (ankle) is "coming along" in his recovery and could soon re-sign with Minnesota on a second 10-day contract, Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press reports.

Stephenson has been limited to just 10 total appearances in 2016-17, thanks to some untimely luck on the injury front. After winning a roster spot with the Pelicans in training camp, Stephenson suffered a groin injury that required surgery and sidelined him for multiple weeks, prompting the team to release him. The swingman then latched on with the Timberwolves in February upon healing up from the groin injury, but couldn't complete his first 10-day contract with the club without suffering a long-term setback due to the ankle sprain. The Timberwolves still have a play-making void on the second unit, so if Stephenson is able to put the ankle injury behind him in short order, he'll have a good chance at immediately regaining a roster spot.