MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rick Adelman has visited his Minnesota Timberwolves, giving some words of encouragement to a reeling team while he takes time away to tend to his ill wife.

Adelman has missed the last five games after his wife, Mary Kay, was hospitalized with an undisclosed illness. The Wolves have started to fall apart without him and injuries are taking their toll.

They’ve lost four straight games, all by double digits, and help doesn’t appear to be on the way anytime soon. All-Star Kevin Love is out for two months, Chase Budinger isn’t due back until March and it’s still unclear when Adelman will return to the bench.

Assistant coach Terry Porter will fill in again Thursday when the Wolves host the Los Angeles Clippers.

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