Timberwolves' Zach LaVine out for season after tearing knee ligament

Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Zach LaVine will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL in his left knee.

LaVine had an MRI exam before the Timberwolves hosted Memphis on Saturday, when the diagnosis was revealed. LaVine was injured the night before in the team's loss at Detroit. He'll have surgery at a yet-to-be-determined date.

The news was a devastating blow to a young Wolves team that had recently begun to find a groove. The 21-year-old LaVine was having a career season, averaging 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 37.2 minutes per game.

LaVine is part of Minnesota's young trio of 21-year-olds, including Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, that have given the team's long-suffering fans hope that the franchise is returning to relevance. His explosive athleticism and back-to-back slam dunk championships have made him a crowd favorite, but he had taken another step this season toward proving he is more than just a dunker.