Timberwolves lose Jefferson for season

Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson, who has emerged as one of the best post players in the NBA, will sit out the rest of the season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Coach Kevin McHale said Jefferson, averaging 23.1 points and 11 rebounds a game, probably will have surgery in the next week to 10 days. He was injured when he landed awkwardly late in Sunday’s 101-97 loss to New Orleans.

New Orleans forward David West was suspended for Monday’s game at Memphis because of a hard foul against Minnesota’s Mike Miller that resulted in West’s ejection Sunday. . . . Cleveland swingman Sasha Pavlovic could sit out six weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday during the Cavaliers’ loss to the Lakers. . . . Dallas guard Jason Terry had surgery to stabilize a fracture in his left hand. The team said there was no timetable for his return. . . . Charles Barkley, on leave from his job as a TNT commentator, will sit out the network’s coverage of All-Star weekend in Phoenix, where he was arrested Dec. 31 on suspicion of drunk driving.

Etc.