MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley has been scratched for the game against Washington on Thursday night with a sprained left ankle.

Beasley is the second-leading scorer on the Timberwolves with 20.9 points per game. He’s been bothered by the injury for the last several games and aggravated it when he landed on Tim Duncan’s foot in a loss to the Spurs on Tuesday night.

Beasley said during practice on Wednesday that his ankle was starting to feel better. But coach Kurt Rambis says the team is concerned after seeing Beasley’s ankle roll twice in the last two games.

Rookie Wes Johnson was put in the starting lineup for Beasley. Johnson was a full-time starter at shooting guard until recently when Rambis benched him for Corey Brewer in an effort to improve the team’s defense.

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