MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Sam Cassell, the Minnesota Timberwolves' All-Star point guard, did not dress for Wednesday night's game against the streaking New Jersey Nets because of tendinitis in his left ankle.

Cassell, averaging 21.2 points and 7.7 assists, participated in the pre-game shootaround but was held out of the game against the Nets, who entered with a 14-game winning streak.

Troy Hudson started in place of Cassell, who has been bothered by soreness for the last few days. It was the first time all season that Cassell missed a game.

Cassell (21.2 points per game), Kevin Garnett (24.7) and Latrell Sprewell (18) are the NBA's highest-scoring trio, averaging a combined 63.9 points per game.