Things just got a little worse for the already struggling Minnesota Timberwolves. Guard Kevin Martin has learned that he will miss the next two to three weeks with a broken left thumb after visiting a hand specialist, Sam Amick of USA Today reported Tuesday. Martin will be re-evaluated after that time period. He last played on Feb. 7 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Timberwolves were blown out by the Houston Rockets on Monday night, and have now lost four consecutive games to fall to 24-28 on the season, seven games back of the current eighth seed in the Western Conference. Martin is averaging 19 points per game and shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range as the starting shooting guard for Minnesota. The Timberwolves are 1-3 in games without him this season.

It hasn't been a good year for Minnesota, especially given the hopes and expectations surrounding it to start the season. The injury to Martin provides yet another setback as a playoff spot slowly fades from view. There is still time remaining, but the Wolves are going to face a big challenge down the stretch of the NBA schedule.

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