NEW YORK — The Minnesota Timberwolves are so desperate for bodies they signed a player based on how quickly he could get to the game.
The Timberwolves signed guard Sean Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract Thursday, and he arrived in time to give them the league-mandated eight players in uniform for their game against the New York Knicks.
Decimated by injuries, the Wolves were granted an NBA hardship exception for a 16th roster spot because they had four players with injuries. But they needed someone who could get to New York in time, so they agreed to a deal with Kilpatrick, who was in Delaware with the 87ers of the NBA Development League.
Kilpatrick, the former University of Cincinnati star, arrived at Madison Square Garden about 45 minutes before the start.
Depleted Wolves sign Kilpatrick, who was close to New York
Cincinnati guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) drives past Louisville guard Russ Smith in the first half of a college basketball game in Cincinnati. Al Behrman/AP