Before the Timberwolves hit Los Angeles earlier this week for a back-to-back games against the Lakers and Clippers, Damjan Rudez had become an almost forgotten man.
The reserve forward — acquired before the season in a trade with Indiana in exchange for Chase Budinger — had not played in five games. He had appeared in just three of the Wolves' past 15 games.
But he was ready.
In 14-plus minutes against the Lakers he made two of his four shots and scored six points. A night later, in a victory over the Clippers, Rudez made all three of his shots — including both three-pointers — and scored eight points in 18½ minutes.